Reading Council makes first book donation

Sussex County — The Northwest Jersey Reading Council recently donated $3,000 to First Book-Sussex County, administered by NORWESCAP. Reading Council members from 12 Sussex County public and private schools collected this money through various projects during the council-sponsored Love of Reading Week. The monies collected are earmarked for First Book-Sussex to purchase and distribute books to children who have not experienced the joy of owning a book. Each of the 12 participating schools determined a project for their school. Alpine School, Sparta Middle School and Hardyston Schools sponsored a Dress-Down Day for staff members. Green Hills and Hopatcong Middle School Student Councils collected donations from students and staff. Wantage, Alpine School and Reverend Brown School created bulletin board displays to acknowledge donations. Halsted Middle School held a challenge competition between grade levels. Media Specialists at Merriam Avenue School, Newton High School, Lawrence and Franklin Schools distributed bookplates for each dollar collected. All donors’ signed bookplates will be inserted into the new books. This is the fourth year that Northwest Jersey Reading Council has chosen First Book-Sussex as its service project. Every year additional schools become involved, promoting literacy for the children of Sussex County. Northwest Jersey Reading Council is a professional service organization that is an affiliate of the International Reading Association. The Council provides literacy programs for teachers, book scholarships for high school seniors, and countywide programs such as Love of Reading Week and the Young Authors’ Conference. Membership is open to all interested in promoting literacy. E-mail Christina Mazzarella at cmazz@garden.net for membership information.