Dunedin Highland Middle School students were challenged to read 2,000 books during the grading period that included the winter break.

Between 1,200 students, the school crushed the goal by 719 books for a total of 2,719 books read.

Because the students met the 2,000-book goal, the Rotary Club of Dunedin donated $1,000 to Heifer International's "Read to Feed" program in the name of the school.

Heifer International is a non-profit organization with the goal of sustainably ending poverty and world hunger.

Diana Carsey, a Heifer International volunteer, received the check for $1,000 that Dunedin Highland Middle School Interact Club members designated to purchase a “Milk Menagerie” which is one water buffalo, one heifer and two goats.

These animals will provide gallons of milk to recipient families in underdeveloped areas of the world.

Academie Da Vinci Charter School students were the first in Dunedin to meet the Rotary challenge in November. Academie students chose to use their $500 donation for llamas and goats.

Editor's note: This is information came from a Rotary Club of Dunedin press release.