Donating books gives some kids, “a chance to visit another world” that they may never otherwise get to see.
GREENSBORO -- Borders Books in Winston-Salem and Greensboro are promoting literacy this month along with the Second Harvest Food Bank. Customers can donate new books to the food bank to give to the children it serves.
“As it stands, the book cases are bulging, the attic is full and we're thinking about a storage facility,” said book donor Stephanie Marlin on her collection.
Marlin works at Borders but Tuesday took a break from the shelves to donate new books. “It would mean an awful lot to me to know that there are kids out there that are walking around with a book that I may have donated and getting their first opportunity to read something really special,” Marlin said.
And giving that opportunity to all kids across the Piedmont is what this book drive is all about. “What the Second Harvest Food Bank does is give backpacks full of books, school supplies and food to needy children in the Triad area,” said Joy Merdan, general manager at Borders Books. “And Borders has always been involved in supporting literacy organizations and this gave us the opportunity to get directly involved with the community with folks who are giving books to kids who need them in our area.”
News 14 Carolina’s Stephanie Stilwell has more on how even bookstore employees are making donations.
And if you find yourself wandering through the book store not exactly sure which books to choose, Merdan says it's best to stick to the classics and your favorites.
“It's so important for kids to have some books that they can cherish to take home,” said Merdan. “Not just check out library books or have books at school but have their own book that they can read again and again and love and really foster a love of reading.”
“It's a chance to visit another world; some kids will never travel, some people will never travel but in a book I have a chance to transport myself into another world,” Marlin said.
You can donate new books you've purchased at Waldenbooks or Borders Books in Greensboro and Winston-Salem until September 1. The stores have donations bins near the counters.