Reading is essential and it starts with a book. The Claire Friedlander Family Foundation believes in and supports the important work of The Book Fairies, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that collects reading materials for people in need throughout metropolitan New York. The reading materials foster literacy and academic success, provide a respite from personal struggles, and nurture a love of reading across age groups.
Founded in 2012, The Book Fairies collect and redistribute new and gently used books to communities that lack access to reading materials. Books are collected through drives organized with schools, businesses and organizations. Through upcycling, resources that already exist are shifted from those who no longer need them to those who need them most. The Book Fairies has four program areas: Children’s Programs, Community Programs, Global Literacy, and Special Needs Partnerships.
Since inception, over 2.4 Million books have been distributed, benefitting 572 individual learning institutions and 255 Community organizations. In 2019, 597,652 books were distributed, including 150,000 that went overseas, and 12 tons were recycled. Over 180 volunteer opportunities were provided for special needs individuals, offering them a chance to contribute to their own communities. With the shutdown of schools and businesses in March of this year due to Covid-19, it became even more evident that their books were essential as so many children were left in the dark without access to books.
“We are very proud that the Claire Friedlander Foundation grant supported The Book Fairies distribution of over 190,000 books in response to the Covid-19 crisis, said Foundation President Peter J. Klein.” They continue to work within CDC guidelines to get books into the hands of children in need and we hope our participation will motivate others to assist them as well.”
For more information visit https://thebookfairies.org/
The Book Fairies host a socially distanced book distribution at Milton Olive Middle School in Wyandanch,NY.