The Impact Summer Reading Fund had a goal of $76,000. That’s the cost for allowing every rising sixth- through 12th grader in the Rowan Salisbury Schools to choose a book to own and take home to read over the summer.

As of Thursday, the fund had about $30,000.

But this story has a happy ending. Philanthropist Fred Stanback Jr.donated $46,000 Friday to fill the gap.

“I think public education has been and will be vital for America’s future,” Stanback said.

Some 11,000 middle and high school students went home with books to read. Meanwhile, elementary school students also received books through a separate drive the schools conducted to “Give Five, Read Five.”

Schools are putting on a push to fight summer learning loss. The summer slide, as some call it, especially affects children from disadvantaged homes where they don’t have access to reading material. That’s a big segment of the school population; more than half of the school system’s children are on free or reduced lunch.

This summer will be different for many of them, said Dr. Lynn Moody, superintendent.

“I am excited about the opportunity for students to personally own a book,” Moody said.

This could change some students’ attitude, she said, since the reading is not an assignment and they got to choose their books. “There is a great deal of power in selection,” she said.

This summer they’ll have the chance to read on their own and then discuss what they’ve read during events hosted by the schools. To read for pleasure and then share that with friends is a lifetime learning skill, she said.

Moody said her dream would be for some of the students to be looking back 30 years from now, reminiscing with book-group friends  about their first summer with their own book.

Donations from the community, large and small, touched her heart, Moody said. Many came with tributes to past teachers, parents, children and friends.

That certainly goes for one of the last contributions to the fund, given by Jack C. and Mae C. Keeter, with a special nod to Overton Elementary School.

So here’s the final roundup:

Last balance … $30,326.44

In honor of our children, Tammy, Carolyn and Randy, “Overton graduates,” and their mom, Mae, Overton teacher, for Overton School … $100

Fred Stanback … $46,000

Today’s total … $76,426.44

A correction: A donation from Arthur and Sandra Hunt was given in memory of Jean Wilkins Little. We apologize for leaving out part of Mrs. Little’s name.