The Irving Dilliard Memorial Literacy Program for the Collinsville Unit 10 School District was the recipient of the 2014 Festival of Trees fundraising efforts, which was good news for all schools in the district, but especially Kreitner Elementary School.

Edible cookie and cake created by Jodie Fournigault that won first place at the 2014 Festival of Trees event / submitted photo

The Kreitner Elementary School Library / Photo by Roger Starkey

Schools in the district were invited to design a structure with a literary theme for the Dec. 3 event. Kreitner brought home the contests’ first-place prize of $2,000 by submitting an edible “Twas the Night Before Christmas” cake and cookie. District employee Jodie Fournigault, who worked for several years as the computer support specialist at Kreitner, designed and created the arrangement.

Kreitner Principal Todd Pettit said the money will be used for new library books and supplies. The school’s library does not have a dedicated budget, Pettit said.

“This money is a huge asset for our library, to ensure that our collection contains up to date books and materials that support what teachers are teaching in the classroom,” Pettit said.

Kreitner Librarian Diana McQuary said the money will be a welcome addition to the library as it continues to upgrade. The existing books were converted to an electronic checkout system at the end of the 2013-2014 school year.