BOOKSMILES STAFF
Karen Hamilton, Program Coordinator
Karen is passionate about the BookSmiles mission and in her new role of Program Coordinator, looks forward to taking the organization to the next level with new fundraising initiatives and outreach. With a background in event management, retail buying and marketing, Karen will utilize her organizational, managerial, editing and creative writing skills to advance the BookSmiles mission. She’s also been known to paint a few of our signature book collection bins.
Before moving to New Jersey, Karen was the Marketing Coordinator for the West Chester University Foundation. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Laundromat Library League, actively supporting the growth of that organization for the past five years through various marketing projects, database management and providing social media content. She has also served on the gala committee for the Kennett Amateur Theatrical Society and the event committee of the Barclay Grounds Preservation Alliance. Karen lives in Marlton with her husband, son and their three cats and enjoys hiking, painting, fishing on their boat and, of course, reading.
Karen is passionate about the BookSmiles mission and in her new role of Program Coordinator, looks forward to taking the organization to the next level with new fundraising initiatives and outreach. With a background in event management, retail buying and marketing, Karen will utilize her organizational, managerial, editing and creative writing skills to advance the BookSmiles mission. She’s also been known to paint a few of our signature book collection bins.
Before moving to New Jersey, Karen was the Marketing Coordinator for the West Chester University Foundation. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Laundromat Library League, actively supporting the growth of that organization for the past five years through various marketing projects, database management and providing social media content. She has also served on the gala committee for the Kennett Amateur Theatrical Society and the event committee of the Barclay Grounds Preservation Alliance. Karen lives in Marlton with her husband, son and their three cats and enjoys hiking, painting, fishing on their boat and, of course, reading.
Annie McDonnell, Virtual Fundraising Literacy Activist
Annie can’t remember a day when she wasn’t recommending a book. Children’s literacy has always been a powerful force in her life and she believes “Books are the Heart of the Home.”
Annie will cultivate Virtual Fundraising Campaigns. She looks forward to creating an online team of fellow activists. Her goal is to motivate and facilitate online fundraising to continuously rotate for BookSmiles. She will build partnerships, as well. She has always been a Literacy Activist, and is both honored and thrilled to be part of the BookSmiles Team by helping us raise funds virtually.
An alumni of High Point University, NC, with one of her majors in English, Annie inspires others to read. In 2006 she entered a contest with Elle Magazine to become a book reviewer for them and won. When that ended she worked at Chick Lit Plus until she began The Write Review, where a large and well respected book community was born. This year a book award was announced in her name because of her dedication to the book community and a rare illness she is battling, of which she plans on winning! Annie lives in Mastic, NY with her husband, three beautiful dogs, five lovely cats and volunteers at One Love Dog Rescue.
Annie can’t remember a day when she wasn’t recommending a book. Children’s literacy has always been a powerful force in her life and she believes “Books are the Heart of the Home.”
Annie will cultivate Virtual Fundraising Campaigns. She looks forward to creating an online team of fellow activists. Her goal is to motivate and facilitate online fundraising to continuously rotate for BookSmiles. She will build partnerships, as well. She has always been a Literacy Activist, and is both honored and thrilled to be part of the BookSmiles Team by helping us raise funds virtually.
An alumni of High Point University, NC, with one of her majors in English, Annie inspires others to read. In 2006 she entered a contest with Elle Magazine to become a book reviewer for them and won. When that ended she worked at Chick Lit Plus until she began The Write Review, where a large and well respected book community was born. This year a book award was announced in her name because of her dedication to the book community and a rare illness she is battling, of which she plans on winning! Annie lives in Mastic, NY with her husband, three beautiful dogs, five lovely cats and volunteers at One Love Dog Rescue.
Scott Techner, Quality Control Volunteer
Scott earned a four-year degree from Rider University. After working as a professional copywriter, he decided to pursue a degree in education, going on to receive his teaching certification at Rowen University. While teaching second grade for the Camden School District, Scott earned a Master of Education degree from Holy Family University. Along with this degree, he went on to obtain a Reading Specialist certification.
It was Scott's enthusiasm for reading that pulled him in as a BookSmiles volunteer. He believes that every student should have the opportunity to develop their own library of books. With the help of dedicated teachers, this monumentous goal can be achieved. Scott lives in Cherry Hill with his wife Dana.
Scott earned a four-year degree from Rider University. After working as a professional copywriter, he decided to pursue a degree in education, going on to receive his teaching certification at Rowen University. While teaching second grade for the Camden School District, Scott earned a Master of Education degree from Holy Family University. Along with this degree, he went on to obtain a Reading Specialist certification.
It was Scott's enthusiasm for reading that pulled him in as a BookSmiles volunteer. He believes that every student should have the opportunity to develop their own library of books. With the help of dedicated teachers, this monumentous goal can be achieved. Scott lives in Cherry Hill with his wife Dana.
Jim Ward, Operations and Book-Acquisition Volunteer
Jim followed a degree from Rutgers with a Master's from the U. of Maryland. After active duty as a Marine Officer, Jim designed and ran a leadership school for Navy and Marine officers and NCOs for 12 years, teaching across the country. He was Secretary of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and served on the Board of Directors. Jim's civilian employment started in sales and human resource, with most of his career as a lawn care franchisee with branches in NJ ad VA.
After retirement, Jim has been working as an Educational Assistant in Haddonfield, NJ. In 2015 he began a literacy project called "Camden Reads", placing books in Camden elementary schools.
Jim was the founding President of his homeowner's association and is a frequent (and high scoring) golfer. He and his wife Susan live in Marlton, NJ. They have four children and six grandchildren.
Jim followed a degree from Rutgers with a Master's from the U. of Maryland. After active duty as a Marine Officer, Jim designed and ran a leadership school for Navy and Marine officers and NCOs for 12 years, teaching across the country. He was Secretary of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and served on the Board of Directors. Jim's civilian employment started in sales and human resource, with most of his career as a lawn care franchisee with branches in NJ ad VA.
After retirement, Jim has been working as an Educational Assistant in Haddonfield, NJ. In 2015 he began a literacy project called "Camden Reads", placing books in Camden elementary schools.
Jim was the founding President of his homeowner's association and is a frequent (and high scoring) golfer. He and his wife Susan live in Marlton, NJ. They have four children and six grandchildren.