Congratulations are in order for the over 100 authors from around the world involved in Indie Authors for Hurricane Sandy Library Recovery. As of this week, they’ve shipped out over 500 books to libraries in need in the tri-state area of New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut.
Our own K. S. “Kat” Brooks founded this group back in November 2012 to help libraries which had been damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Even now, well into March, some schools and libraries have still not reopened. “People don’t realize how bad the situation is,” Kat said. “I received an email from an elementary school principal this week which broke my heart.” Kat shared an excerpt from this email with us:
Yes, our school was devastated by the Hurricane. Our entire first floor took in over three feet of salt water and raw sewage. We have been displaced… Our kindergarten, first and second grade classrooms, the literacy hub of our building, have been totally destroyed; everything thrown out. Our reading center which housed all of our guided reading books was also destroyed. All of our books are gone.
If you’re an author interested in donating children’s books or if you know of a library in need, you can contact the group through their web page. Please keep in mind, not all books or genres are accepted, and great pride is taken in matching up books with libraries.
Indies rock! Most of us have very little in the way of wealth. Yet, we share what we can.
Kudos and a huge bouquet to Kat, who thought the whole thing up. (applause)
Actually, as of this afternoon, we just hit 700 books distributed!
And thank you, Lynne!
Great work, Kat, in spearheading this project. A great effort!