For the second year in a row, employees from Options for Community Living, Inc. volunteered at The Book Fairies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering literacy and academic success in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, as well as the five boroughs.
The Book Fairies collects new and gently used reading materials for people in need throughout metropolitan New York. In addition to fostering literacy and academic success, their mission is to provide a respite from personal struggles and nurture a love of reading across all age groups. “In many of the communities we serve, library access is not possible because a government ID is required to sign up for a library card,” said Amy Zaslansky, founder of The Book Fairies. “Our goal is to step in, fill the literary gap, and make sure that every person who wants to read has access to the materials that they need.”
Options employees spent the day sorting books for an upcoming free book fair and packing books to be distributed to high poverty schools and community organizations. “Many of our employees have fond memories of reading as children and still feel connected to the books they read in their youth,” said Yolanda Robano-Gross, Options Executive Director. “Having the opportunity to volunteer with an organization that fosters a love of reading in children across Long Island is very special. We are happy to help.”