The holiday book drive you've been waiting for!

There is a joy in giving books. And if that joy can be combined with 1) getting rid of your old books so you can get new books, and 2) passing along the gift of literacy and literature to those who might not receive it otherwise -- well, that's some serious book giving joy.

This year the church I attend, Old First Reformed, is holding a book drive for a community of West African refugees on Staten Island, many of whom struggle with English and therefore with school and employment. The organization, African Refuge, is a more than worthy cause to unburden your groaning shelves, especially if you've got some children's or YA books amongst them. Details are below. The ALP and I will be schlepping a couple of boxes over there on Sunday; hope to see you there!

Book Drive!
To Benefit African Refuge After‐School
Please donate your ‘gently read’ or brand new books to help West African refugee
children who are now living on Staten Island.
For readers ages 5 – 17
Sunday, December 13th, 3:00 – 7:00 pm
Drop off at Old First Reformed Church,
7th Ave. & Carroll St., Park Slope, Brooklyn.
For more information: (718) 638‐8300
If you can’t make it on the 13th, bring books to the church office; use entrance on
Carroll St. Hours: Mon. – Thurs., 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, December 7th – 10th.

• The mission of African Refuge, a non‐profit organization, is to aid West African refugees currently residing in Staten Island. Because of the devastating civil war in Liberia, many of these refugee youths have missed one or more years of school, yet they are placed in classes in the NYC public school system based on their age rather than academic level. This has made it difficult for many of them to succeed in school. In response, African Refuge has set up an after‐school program. Go to http://africanrefuge.webs.com to find out more.

Comments

Masonian said…
I think that comment above must be spam...

anyhow, just saying that that's a sersiouly awesome cause! Your stock is a'rising.
I once taught driver's ed (yes, terrifying) and the owner of the company gave away hours and hours of free driving lessons to refugees from Somolia and West Africa. We didn't stop at just getting them a driver's licence, we then helped them find jobs.

So, very cool. Giving you kudos
Teemu said…
Heya!
Just being browsing blogs and this one came up.
Im one hell of a friend of books myself, and with a quick glaze upon your blog i might say you are too.
To me reading represents will and enthusiasm to use onselves imagination. This is a diminishing resource in modern society, and i appreciate it a lot.
Good to see its not compleately destroyed yet.
Chuck Linart said…
Jeez, I sure love Brooklyn and all you world savers over there.

Hello from Queens.

Popular posts from this blog

"Switchblades, bicycle chains and adventuresome tailors": Colson Whitehead on Brooklyn literary culture

Link-Mad Monday: BEA 2007 and On!

House.