Christine's Hope for Kids (CHFK) has been giving the gift of reading to kids in need in our community for more than five years -- giving them the chance to open and own a book, to experience the smell of paper and ink, to anticipate adventure and to discover new worlds through reading.
How many times do you read a book one or two times, only to return it to a shelf where it gets dusty and eventually finds its way to a collection bin, or even the garbage?
Christine's Hope for Kids (CHFK) has been giving the gift of reading to kids in need in our community for more than five years -- giving them the chance to open and own a book, to experience the smell of paper and ink, to anticipate adventure and to discover new worlds through reading.
Every kid likes to have a book they can call their own, but sadly many children live in areas where they do not have a safe library to visit and they do not have the means to go to a bookstore to purchase a book. So, they miss out on the opportunity to read a good book, like Peter Pan or Charlotte's Web.
Christine's Hope for Kids decided a few years ago to host book collections in schools, asking students to bring in their gently used, unwanted books. As a result, they now collect thousands and thousands of books a year. Great books. Current books. Books kids love to read.
It is important to CHFK that the organization not only help the kids who need it most, but also teach the importance of giving back and paying it forward. The students who donate their books are excited to know they are sharing the books with other kids who will enjoy them.
Once all the books have been collected, the real work at the CHFK office begins. Student volunteers organize the books by subject and age group to get them ready for a book fair. This is a huge project and takes many hours.
The books are then loaded in the van and brought to shelters and camps. When the volunteers arrive, they are greeted by many happy kids looking forward to filling a CHFK bag with books to call their own, not to mention the healthy snacks, bookmarks, pencils and sports trading cards donated by Ben Schragger and Cards 2 Kids.
Some might not think something like a book could make such a difference. CHFK founder Jean Gianacaci said she remembers a little boy so excited after he received a book, saying it was going to be the best weekend ever because he had a Harry Potter book to read.
"I thought, 'What did we do, but give him a book?' A simple thing can make a big difference," said Gianacaci.
At the end of each book fair, the kids are told to share their books when they are done with them, passing them around and paying it forward.
"So that once-discarded book on the shelf again becomes the highlight of someone else's weekend," said Gianacaci. "The kids love this. They like knowing it is now up to them to share what they have with someone who needs it."
Your donation to the 2015 Times Annual Appeal will help Christine's Hope for Kids continue its mission to help kids in need in our community. NJM Insurance group of West Trenton has pledged to donate $1,000 for every $5,000 contributed by the community and other business donors throughout the 2015 campaign.
To make a donation to support Christine's Hope for Kids, make your check payable to The Times Holiday Appeal and mail to Times Charities, Inc., 413 River View Plaza, Trenton, NJ 08611.
All gifts will be acknowledged in The Times. Anonymity will be granted if requested.
For more information about Christine's Hope for Kids, go to www.christineshope.org.
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