One of the heart trees in Holy Cross Church. Courtesy of Karen Halvorsen

The Love Our Library campaign at Holy Cross School in South Portland has been going on throughout February.

The campaign keeps the Kathleen A. Wittmer Memorial Library at Holy Cross running. The library began in March 2007 by a parent at the time, Jenny Hall. The library was created in memory of Katie Wittmer, a second-grade student who tragically passed away from cancer in 2007 at the age of 9.

“It was started to celebrate Katie’s life, her love of God and her love of learning,” said Karen Halvorsen, art teacher and library administrator at Holy Cross.

The first book purchased for the library was “Make Way for Ducklings” by Robert McCloskey, which was one of Katie Wittmer’s favorite books.

“The library is 100 percent funded through donations,” Halvorsen said. “We started the Love our Library campaign 15 years ago to help purchase new books and to pay for our yearly automation fee.”

Before the pandemic, a team of volunteers kept the library running. The last couple of years, it has only been Halvorsen.

To support the campaign, people can visit the “branches of hearts” in the narthexes (lobbies) of Holy Cross Church in South Portland, St. Bartholomew Church in Cape Elizabeth, and St. Maximilian Kolbe Church in Scarborough. People can donate a book by picking a heart off the tree, including it in the donation, and placing them in the church offertory baskets.

Donations can also be dropped off at Holy Cross School at 436 Broadway in South Portland, or mailed to the school. The school orders the book and adds a personalized bookplate.

“It’s a wonderful way to honor someone you love,” said Tim Stebbins, principal of Holy Cross.

People can also donate by sending checks to Holy Cross School at 436 Broadway in South Portland Maine, 04106. Checks should be made payable to Holy Cross School Library. Donations can also be called in at 207-799-6661.

People can also make donations any time of the year, not just in February.

“This library has added so much to our school over the years,” said Halvorsen. “Kids love to come to the library and our collection has grown so much because of everyone’s generous support. I love that this library is in honor of a very special little girl who touched many people’s lives for the short time that she was with us.”