Great Neck will be joining the National Council of Jewish Women–Lakeville Section (NCJW) in their newest effort, Read to Learn, where elementary school children, the clergy and mayors of Great Neck will join forces to collect new and gently used children’s books to be distributed to children for whom a book is a luxury.
Receptacles to collect the books were placed in village halls, churches and temples at the beginning of this week. Students from both Great Neck North and South High Schools will collect and deposit these books at a central location.
NCJW needs a vacant store or large room from now through the end of May in which to store, sort and distribute the books. The Chamber of Commerce and mayors have been contacted in order to find a suitable location. If you are able to donate such a place, call Miriam Chatinover, cochair of the committee, at 516-487-1199.
As of now, more than 700 books have been donated by residents as well as the Great Neck, Manhasset and Shelter Rock libraries. The books will be distributed to local child care centers, clinics, hospitals and pediatricians. Instructions on how to obtain more books will be available inside each book. NCJW wants as many children as possible to have a positive experience with books, since studies have shown that the earlier children read and listen to books, the larger their vocabulary will be and the better chance they’ll have for a successful experience in school and post-school.
Why not join in by donating children’s books? If you wish to be part of this endeavor, call Chatinover at 516-487-1199. The group can use all the help they can get.
