Miss Jefferson County Sabrina Harrison, left, and Miss Shenandoah Karrington Childress, right, help Colt Berisa pick out a book at Morgan's Grove Park on Saturday. Toni Milbourne

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Parents and children arrived at Morgan’s Grove Park on Saturday to take advantage of a program started by Rhonda Gales and The Blessings Closet, where they could find some books to take home with them for free.

The second annual book giveaway event at the park offered books for children from infants to teens. Children and their parents were able to peruse tables filled with books to find their favorites. In addition to books for enjoyment, many books were available to help keep students engaged in learning throughout the summer months. A variety of workbooks were available to encourage everything from handwriting to math practice.

Stephanie Ruzicka visited the giveaway with her two children. While they didn’t come to the park specifically for the event, but rather to enjoy the playground, they were excited to be taking home some free books.

Ruzicka explained that currently, her family lives in Morgan County, but she grew up in the Shepherdstown area and came to visit for the day.

“This was my first time at this event. It brought tears to my eyes,” she said as her son, Colt, flitted between all types of books that caught his eye as he shared that he loved books.

Helping him with some selections were Miss Shenandoah Karrington Childress and Miss Jefferson County Sabrina Harrison, who took time to volunteer at the event.

According to Gales, her goals for the book giveaway are aligned with a focus on education, which is part of the premise behind The Blessings Closet. Giving the books away, she said, is to help encourage the enjoyment of reading and give kids some time away from electronics.

Gales also said she will host another free children’s book giveaway event in Martinsburg this Saturday at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Park (601 Martin Street), which will be open to the public.

Visit www.theblessingscloset.com to contact Gales and learn more about her organization.