COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. -- Volunteers helped move books into Cottage Grove’s new elementary school Friday morning.

About 300 people showed up for a book brigade. They formed an assembly line about a quarter of a mile long to move books from the old Harrison Elementary to the new school that’s set to open the first week of September.

Students, staff and volunteers wanted to say their goodbyes.

“Whether they went to school there or had their kids go to school there, they were just so excited to come together and say goodbye to the old Harrison school,” said Garrett Bridgens, spokesperson with the South Lane School District.

Volunteer Lisa Russo said she enjoyed seeing familiar faces at the event.

“I saw a lot of teachers and moms and students, former students that I used to know, were helping out in the line, so it was fun to see them again,” Russo said.

Volunteers got to check out the new school when they were done.

They moved 3,000 books in about an hour and a half. The rest will be moved by truck by Monday.