NORWICH – The Early Childhood Organization (ECO), comprised of students from Morrisville State College’s Norwich Campus, got more than expected while organizing this year’s holiday book drive – much more.

An unanticipated donation has provided the 20 students, who are also members of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, with nearly $20,000 worth of new and slightly-used books.

“It’s great,” said Rebecca Potter. “We never thought we’d get this many.”

Potter, along with Angel Whaley, Kelly Graves and Samantha Hadlock, provide unofficial leadership for the organization, according to Margaret Hoose. Hoose is the assistant professor for Early Childhood, the first Morrisville State College degree offered exclusively at the Norwich campus.

Members of the ECO prepared for the book drive by placing posters and boxes throughout the county, which were collected weekly, and were pleased with the early results. In the first month, they had amassed an estimated 400 books. A single phone call on Dec. 2 changed all that.