Middle Gate Elementary School PTA President Debbie DeBlasi announced a new program called "Friends of the Middle Gate Library" that is working to raise money for the school library through a mural, which is being overseen by school parent Bridget Hartigan.

Ms Hartigan is painting the mural outside of the school's library, according to Ms DeBlasi. The mural is of a tree, and with each donation made to the program a new leaf in honor of the donation will be added to the mural.

The goal is to increase the quality of the library with more books and programs to help children develop a love of reading.

Anyone can donate to the library program. Checks can be made payable to the "Middle Gate PTA" and should note "Friends of the Middle Gate Library." Ms DeBlasi said donors should also let the PTA know how to contact them to add a name to the leaf in honor of the donation. Check donations can be mailed to the school, 7 Cold Spring Road, Newtown CT 06470, to the "PTA Friends of the Library."