NEWS RELEASES > APRIL 13, 2023
McHENRY, Ill., April 12, 2023 – Follett has joined forces with Capstone to donate much-needed school supplies to the children in Pajaro, California who were displaced after their small community was flooded last month.
The venerable education companies donated and shipped 1,000 books and activities to the students relocated in the wake of the Pajaro River levee break. Pajaro Middle School will remain closed for the rest of the school year due to flood damage.
Britten Follett, CEO, Follett Content Solutions, said “it took a village” to provide help to those in need.
“Through California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond’s office, we were part of a group of companies and individuals who pulled together our resources and expertise to care for families impacted by this tragedy,” she noted.
Follett said the company was proud to team with Capstone and its CEO Randi Economou to make the meaningful donation possible.
“Capstone wanted to lend our support to the Pajaro community in a very intentional way,” Economou said. “With our shared passion of inspiring learning for all children, we’re honored to partner with Britten and the Follett team to put books in the hands of kids and hopefully help bring a sense of comfort and home to them during this difficult time.”
Once the Follett-Capstone collaboration was confirmed, Britten Follett said she immediately rallied employees to determine what could be contributed.
“In 24 hours, we had a pallet of books and some of our ‘Carmen Sandiego Activity Kits’ packed on a truck headed to Northern California,” she said.
Thurmond visited the impacted community in Monterey County in late March and distributed donations, including the school supplies, to affected students and families.
“We know our students and teachers are resilient, and I am sure they will bounce back once again,” Thurmond said in a California Department of Education news release. “But let’s make sure we provide them with the financial, academic, mental, and social-emotional support they need.”
A “Pajaro Strong” Go Fund Me page has been set up by a group of retired Pajaro Middle School educators; all funds collected will go toward providing clothing for impacted students. Donations had passed the $51,000 mark as of April 12.
###
Media Contact: Doug Thompson | Thompson Drake Public Relations | cell: 541.419.4471 | doug@thompsondrake.com
Follett Content Strengthens Adult Offerings for Public Libraries, Launches New Street Date Program
April 30, 2026
Follett Content, a longtime partner to libraries nationwide, today announced a deepened commitment to public library collections by expanding its adult print catalog and launching the Follett Street Date Program to help libraries to deliver high-demand titles to patrons on...
Read more
Follett Celebrates Educators During Teacher Appreciation Week with Literacy Space Giveaway
April 28, 2026
During Teacher Appreciation Week, Follett Content is recognizing educators by supporting the literacy spaces where students read, explore, and learn every day. The initiative addresses common challenges educators face, including limited time and budget to refresh classroom and library environments.
Read more
United Way Rock River Valley and Follett Content Partner to Donate 2,000 Books to Rockford Students
April 2, 2026
United Way Rock River Valley and Follett Content are proud to partner on placing 2,000 new books directly into the hands of Rockford Public School students. Follett Content's donation fulfills the entire goal of United Way's Books for Brighter Futures...
Read more
2026 Approved & Ready: NYC Library Solutions
March 23, 2026
New York City, NY., Mar. 23, 20206 – Follett Content is an approved vendor for New York City (NYC) school libraries, enabling NYC educators to confidently place library material orders through a trusted, established partner. Through this contract, Follett Content...
Read more
Follett Content Accelerates Public Library Strategy
February 19, 2026
McHenry, Ill., Feb. 19, 2026 – Building on its September 2025 introduction into the public library market, Follett Content today announced a significant next step in its growth strategy: the addition of widely respected library-market veterans and a series of new technology...
Read more
Follett Content and Sora Student Reading App Announce Landmark Partnership
December 9, 2025
We are providing an improved experience for your readers by making digital content available through Sora, the award-winning student reading app by OverDrive.
Read more