Car after car filled with books flocked to the Orange County School of the Arts on March 12 for a momentous occasion: Book Bears’ first book drive! Coined as the Spread the Love Book Drive, lightly used books from a range of genres made their way towards a worthy cause. With an exceptional turnout and an astonishing amount of donations, it is undeniable that this event was a success,
But what about the specifics?
Partnered with NHS, Book Bears’ project coordinators Riley Cummings and Nicole Dave planned and orchestrated the drive. They set out with the intention to funnel the donations into an organization that would benefit society as a whole, so when they came across the American Book Drive (ABD) the decision was simple. ABD acts as an outlet for thousands of used books to be reused and recycled for those who need them most. Children’s books are provided to schools, hospitals, and other public centers, while books geared towards older readers make their way to religious institutions and shelters. “They give back to communities with kids and adults who need to read and might not be able to buy a book at Barnes & Noble,” Cummings said.
Yet, ABD’s effort to provide local aid does not stop there. One of its many participating organizations is Susan G. Komen for the Cure, meaning that ABD is actively affiliated with cancer research and treatment funding programs. Rather than simply replenishing their own budget, they serve causes that are universally valued by many including Dave, who has frequently taken part in the “Race for the Cure.”
Apart from their humanitarian work, any donations that are too damaged to be repurposed are properly recycled by ABD in order to minimize waste and maximize conservation. While many readers enjoy purchasing an abundance of new books, they often are uninformed as to how they should sustainably dispose of their once loved reading material. However, ABD works to ensure that its donations can serve a purpose beyond just ending up in a landfill.
As for the drive itself, to say it was successful would be an understatement. The amount of donations and the sheer number of books far exceeded Cummings and Dave’s expectations with a total of over 600 books received. Although NHS participants needed to donate a minimum number of books to gain a point from the drive, “some people donated even more than the six book requirement, which was nice,” Dave said.
During times such as these, one never really can tell if a live event will produce the desired effect, but through its careful planning and research, as well as the numerous participants, the Spread the Love Book Drive proved to be prosperous. “Being there was completely the best part because you just kind of see everything materialize in person,” Cummings said.
Nonetheless, this accomplishment could not have been achieved without all of Book Bears’ loyal supporters, both new and old. Make sure to look out for future events such as this and as always, keep up the spread of love and literacy!
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