To volunteer with Assistance League of Atlanta: www.assistanceleagueatl.org
After a month-long book collection drive, volunteers at the Assistance League of Atlanta sorted and packed over 7,000 new and unmarked or like-new books for children ages 1-12 on Oct. 25 at its Chamblee facility.
“Reading is empowering,” said Ann Wells, book drive chairman. “With reading skills, it opens up a whole new world to kids and they can learn about anything. Some of these children have never even owned a book. So, our goal is to get these books into the hands of children and foster that love for reading and learning.”
The books will be distributed to local charities and schools such as Interfaith Outreach, Peachtree Elementary School and also be sent to locations in North Georgia such as the Craddock Center. The children’s book drive is a part of the Assistance League’s national campaign that has participation from all 120 chapters around the country.
“We had such great community response as many places around the city and even local kids got involved to make this book drive a success,” said Mary Ann Cook, vice president of communications of Assistance League of Atlanta.
Leah Dorrien, a fourth grader at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic School, got her Girl Scouts Troop and school to participate in the book drive.
“I wanted to find a way to give back and it was exciting to see everyone come together and donate books,” she said.
Dorrien and her schoolmates collected over 800 books towards the book drive.
The book drive is just one of the many ways its giving back to Georgia’s kids. Apart from the book drive, the Assistance League of Atlanta runs its thrift shop, Attic Treasures, which helps raise money for the organization’s many programs such as Operation School Bell (new uniforms for elementary school children), Bears for Children (teddy bear distribution for children in crisis situations) and New Beginnings (resources for victims of abuse, domestic violence and homelessness).
“Whether people want to volunteer with our thrift store, for our many programs or even donate their items, it all goes back into the local community to make the lives of our children and adults better,” Cook added.
The Assistance League is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that was founded in 1982. The Atlanta chapter serves children and adults in need in Atlanta Public Schools, DeKalb and Fulton county communities with various programs throughout the year.
In other news: Gigi's Cupcakes locations around Georgia baked specialty "Gold Ribbon" cupcakes on Saturdays during September to recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Collectively, the stores raised over $4,000 for CURE Childhood Cancer.
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