Community Connection: Spotlight on Give A Book, Get A Smile
Posted on December 14, 2017 by Laura Lucky
WHAT THEY DO
Give A Book, Get A Smile is an initiative of local business owner Danielle Hampson in an effort to provide books for disadvantaged or underprivileged individuals. Its mission is to rally authors, readers and publishing professionals to donate books that will be distributed locally, nationally and even around the globe.
Books are collected and donated to children, teens and adults at disadvantaged schools, shelters and homeless communities. Foreign language books are earmarked to be distributed to international locations in which the language is prevalent, and the need is great.
Hampson describes her motivation in starting her campaign. “Being able to read is more than a life necessity, it has the power to transport us into the wonderful world of imagination, it teaches us, it helps us grow.
“To some, reading can sometimes be viewed as a chore, but it mostly is an immense pleasure all of us should be able to experience. Alas, life’s realities beg differently as so many are either challenged with reading skills, or challenged with access to books.”
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Donate new or gently used books. For children ages 4-12, both picture and chapter books are requested. Young adult and adult fiction, non-fiction and self-help books are in demand. At this time, books written in English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Korean are requested and will be donated appropriately. Email GiveABook@cox.net to reach out to Danielle and make arrangements to donate or simply bring to our Russ Lyon | Sotheby’s office – a designated donation collection site. GiveABookGetASmile.com
