The Moriches Rotary recently held a Literacy Project with the help of local students.
Students from Clayton Huey Elementary School, Center Moriches middle and high schools, East Moriches elementary and middle schools, Tuttle Avenue Elementary School in the Eastport South-Manor District, Our Lady Queen of Apostles in Center Moriches, and Mary G. Clarkson Elementary School in the Bay Shore District participated.
“Students in our local schools had a terrific time collecting and counting all the books they gathered and participating in the book drive,” said past president and member, Tom Chieffo. “They also learned the importance of giving back to their community.”
The Moriches Rotary held multiple community projects in support of literacy during the months of February and March, including a book collection drive to donate to Book Fairies, a nonprofit organization in Freeport.
Book Fairies collects and distributes new and gently used books to under-resourced communities across Long Island, New York City, and internationally to directly impact literacy rates.
“Increasing access to books inspires the love of reading, promotes academic success, and expands life opportunities,” said Chieffo.
The total number of books Book Fairies has distributed since its inception in 2012 is 5,162,089. Additionally, the program does not charge for any of the books it distributes.
“It is hard to believe how many children and adults have never owned a book of their own,” he said. “That is why this organization is such a valuable resource for the promotion of literacy here on Long Island and across the globe.”
The Moriches Rotary club collected 138 boxes of books, equal to well over 10,000 books, to donate to the Book Fairies.
Other Literacy Projects the Moriches Rotary has done in the past include purchasing paperback dictionaries and distributing them to third-grade students in Moriches area schools.
For more information about The Moriches Rotary Club, visit their website at: morichesrotary.org.
ABOUT THE ROTARY CLUB
The Rotary Club meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at Sunsets at Senix Restaurant in Center Moriches from 6 to 7:30 p.m. “Come join us and possibly consider joining the club and become part of this wonderful service organization,” Chieffo said. “What better way to give back to your community and join with a group of great people.”
For more information, text or call Tom Chieffo at 631-294-5365. n
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