The $2,000 grant, from the AT&T Foundation, was used to buy books to give to elementary school students.

Joles, who is retired from AT&T, has secured the grant for the school for each of the past five years.

“We started the grant program because we wanted to help the schools pay for the books that are personalized for children in kindergarten and first grade, to help them learn to read,” Joles said.

The books include the student’s name, as well as those of their principal, teacher, assistant teacher, two friends and the name of the school and town.

In completing the four-page form for the grant, Joles included the names of people who volunteer at the school’s volunteer center, as well as the fact that volunteers spend more than 900 hours a month helping at the school.

Earleta Morey director of the volunteer center, said money left over after purchasing the books goes to the school district.

Tonganoxie school Supt. Richard Erickson said extra funding might be used to buy books for the Reading is Fundamental program, which distributes children’s books to the students.

“The federal government pays for books for students in kindergarten through the third grade and we want to pay for books for fourth- through sixth-graders as well, and this contribution will help,” Erickson said.

Erickson said he appreciated Joles’ work in gaining the grant.

“And I also want to thank Earleta because she coordinates and directs a wonderful volunteer center,” Erickson said.