One can be disappointed that the coronavirus pandemic has put everyone’s usual social life at hold or each person can adapt and use the time the best way he or she can.

Rishika Rohatgi, a rising junior at Parkland High School, has always had a very personal connection with books.

She wanted to leverage that connection and her newfound time since school was closed, to collect books for donation.

Her friends and fellow students Aubrey Michels, Valeria Quintonilla, Kubra Saymaz and Nishka Rajaboina soon joined her to make a difference in their community.

They reached out to family, friends and others to collect books for kids who may not have ready access to reading materials.

What started as a simple book drive grew into so much more.

In less than two months, the girls received more than 6,000 books from all over the Parkland School District, more than surpassing their initial goal of 500.

They sanitized, organized and classified all the books they collected.

Eager to keep the ball rolling, they partnered with Yamelisa Taveras from the Unidos Foundation, an Allentown-based nonprofit, to create a free library for the community.

“Reading in the home - that’s where the first level of education happens,” Traveras said.

“Books are where you can find everything ... It is beautiful Parkland kids came together and decided to do this, and are now donating to inner city Allentown, because this is where we really need it.”

The students have also donated to Valley Youth house, a rehabilitation center and sanctuary for underprivileged children in Bethlehem.

They are currently in the process of looking for more worthy organizations to donate to, and despite having nearly 3,000 books in Rohatgi’s basement, they are still collecting books.

“When I was younger, books were always a way for me to escape reality,” Rohatgi said.

“Whenever I was having a rough day or just needed a pick me up, I could open a book and enter an entirely different world.

“In these ever changing times, I wanted to give more kids a constant they could hold on to. So I called up my friends, and here we are.”

Nishka also commented on the team effort.

“It’s just an amazing feeling to know that five junior girls were able to make such a difference,” Nishka said.

Behind this project is a powerful message.

In what can seem like the worst of situations, everyone has the ability to spread positivity and make others’ lives just a little bit brighter.

To donate books, email rishrohatgi@gmail.com.