Oyster Bay Town Councilman Tom Hand today announced the launch of a Children’s and Young Adults Book Drive to benefit The Book Fairies, a not-for-profit organization that collects reading materials for people in need throughout Long Island and the metropolitan area. Collection bins will be located at Town Hall North in Oyster Bay, Town Hall South in Massapequa and at the Ice Skating Center in Bethpage from September 1st – 30th from 9am to 4:45pm.
Councilman Tom Hand stated, “Reading materials foster literacy and academic success, provide a respite from personal struggles, and nurture a love of reading across age groups. We are committed to decreasing illiteracy rates by collecting new and/or gently used books and matching them with libraries, schools, teachers, and organizations in need that would not otherwise have the means to obtain them. Share your love for reading by donating your books to those in need.”
The Book Fairies was founded by Amy Zaslansky, a busy local mom who wanted to share her love of books, as well as her over-flowing home library, with less fortunate children. Upon embarking on this endeavor, Amy discovered that it was difficult to get her used books to the children who would most benefit from them. As a result, Amy created The Book Fairies, a Long Island based non-profit organization that accepts donations of new and gently used books, and connects them with libraries, schools and organizations throughout metropolitan New York that do not have the funds to foster the love of reading for their children.
As part of the Town’s Children’s and Young Adult Book Drive, books will be accepted ranging from baby through young adult, as long as they are in good condition and come from a smoke-free environment. Baby and preschool books will be distributed across preschool programs, daycare centers, homeless shelters, etc. Elementary, middle school, and high school books will be distributed directly to schools and programs that support students in impoverished areas such as soup kitchens, Little Free Libraries, hospitals, and more.
For more information on this program, visit the Town’s website at www.oysterbaytown.com or call (516) 624-6380.