WHILE many children spent last year concocting extravagant wish lists for birthday gifts they would have liked to receive from their parents and friends, Gabriella Frank was busy spearheading an ambitious book drive that would benefit the children of Jamaica.

The third grader, who lives in the United States, said that in recognition of her ninth birthday — which she celebrated earlier this month — she set out to collect and purchase 99 books, 99 pencils, 99 sets of crayons and markers, and other school supplies for donation. She exceeded her target by accumulating more than 130 storybooks, 120 sets of crayons, other stationery items and games.

Gabriella was first made aware of the many challenges experienced by Jamaican schools when she participated in the weekly Sandals Foundation Reading Road Trip, in February 2012, which is aimed at boosting the Caribbean's literacy rate.

"My family and I went to the West End Early Childhood Institution (a Sandals Foundation adopted school) to read with the children and donate while we were staying at Beaches Negril. I saw that more than one child had to share something as small as a pencil and after that the teacher would take it away so they wouldn't lose it." Gabriella said. "I knew then that there was more I could do to help."

The nine-year-old is no stranger to philanthropy. Among her accolades for work in this area is the Kohl's Kids Who Care first place award, which she received in her home country.

"The Sandals Foundation's ongoing book drives have resulted in thousands of books being filtered into the Caribbean's school system and we are extremely proud to have ambassadors like Gabriella who help us to make this difference in our communities. Over the next few years we will certainly strengthen our campaign to make reading material even more accessible to children and adults," said Sandals Regional Public Relations Manager (Negril) Kendra Johnson.

Through the Sandals Foundation, Gabriella's donation will be shared among the Negril Branch Library and several schools in Westmoreland.