Photo courtesy of Paton-Churdan School

Last week, a large donation was made across Iowa, where any second grader could receive the same free book.

Paton-Churdan Principal Annie Smith tells Raccoon Valley Radio on World Kindness Day, the Jensen Family donated a free copy of the book, “Just Like Caitlin.” Sources say that the donation came from Dickson and Luann Jensen with their daughter, Ally Obermeier who wrote the book. Smith says her second graders were ecstatic when they got the book and when she did a lesson with the kids about the book, that the students could tell that Clark bridged the rivalry of when she played basketball for the University of Iowa and Smith’s fandom of Iowa State University. 

“They could see that even though they know that I love the Cyclones that I actually have love and admiration for and that journey. They thought that was a really cool play on it too. It was just a good opportunity to be able to spread a lot of different kinds of things.” 

Smith adds that the book describes Clark’s journey, getting through challenges, not always about winnings, but also having strong family support and trying your best at everything. Smith was happy to participate in this generous donation by the Jensen Family.