The high point of the week had to be visiting Sparkle Clean Laundromat in Clementon to set up a box of books for The Laundromat Library League. I pulled out a book and started reading to a precious little girl whose mom left with a bag of books. The boy pictured above glowed as he read to me!
Another great moment was picking up 735 pristine books, all sorted by children at Haddonfield Friends School. Teacher Heather McMahon spearheaded this terrific public service project. Massive book drives are catching on in the area!
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Congregation Beth El in Voorhees hummed with activity during its MLK Day of Service. We were so pleased to accept excellent donations from Ben Miller, who collected several bags of books from friends who attended his last birthday party (yes, he wanted books to donate over presents), and from the Grossman family, who brought over 300 books that their four kids have outgrown!  PATCO, what an ally! Mark Ciechon, director of Finance for PATCO, stopped by with loads of books donated by office employees. BookSmiles is super excited that PATCO has invited us to be a featured non-profit for its PATCO cares program later this year. How ideal to "station" ourselves at a train location to collect books and spread the word!  Finally, Nancy Lubars provided a generous donation that allowed us to go nuts at Bargain Book Warehouse at Ellisberg circle. They sell brand new children's books anywhere between $2 and 5 dollars. The donation was made in memory of Nancy's mother who loved reading!
 I was excited when Laura Goodfriend contacted me recently and explained that she wanted to start a book drive at Atlantic Avenue Elementary School in Haddon Heights. A preschool teacher, she saw the drive as a genuine opportunity for her students to do a good deed, while practicing real-life skills like writing letters, decorating collection boxes and posters, counting books, and listening politely to a 6'2" guest speaker with a book obsession. I was honored to visit this excellent school to tell the BookSmiles story and accept the hefty 975 (and counting) book donation! BookSmiles' mission requires that EDUCATORS spread literacy by sharing resources. Thanks, Atlantic Ave!
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