N ot all children have easy access to books, and even in New Jersey, there are children who are “book poor.” Fortunately, people like Abby Daly from Locust are helping to solve this problem. Through her efforts, The Bridge of Books Foundation was created seventeen years ago. “What started as something to occupy my time with my kids, transformed into a drive to close the gap in access to books among kids throughout New Jersey,” shared Abby.

The Foundation’s mission is to get as many books as possible into the hands of New Jersey’s underserved children, The Bridge of Books collects books appropriate for underserved children, from infants to the age of 18. Collections are made through local book drives, individual donations (many from local children inspired to help others), publisher overstocks and corporate donors. It also purchases books for special programs and supplements distributions with genres not typically part of the collections they receive. Vonage is an important sponsor, donating space to store the books and providing operational support since 2015. Through its generosity, Bridge of Books more than doubled its distribution from 75,000 books in 2014 to nearly 150,000 in 2015. Another major sponsor for several years is Scholastic Book Fairs, which has donated books and $10,000, allowing even more books to be distributed.

Bridge of Books is particularly proud of its “Books for Birthdays” program. Instead of birthday presents, children have the opportunity to collect new and/or gently used books to donate to others.

Where do the books go once they are donated? “In our sixteen plus years, we have donated books to well over 150 schools, agencies, community events and anywhere else we can find children who need access to books – across every county.   We are also in the prison system – both adult and juvenile. Parents don’t stop being parents simply because they are incarcerated, and the children enjoy reading with their parents and getting to take a book home. The detained juveniles also respond well to our books – both as an escape and a way to keep up on their literacy skills,” said Abby.

Abby reflected on her journey. “Bridge of Books has put more than 1.135 million books into the hands of underserved kids across New Jersey. Yet, the gap in access to books among children in New Jersey is still there and kids in low-income parts of the state are still struggling to develop adequate literacy skills. Building a bridge between communities is the first step in closing the gap. Ideally, once there is equal access to books among all children in New Jersey, we can take it on the road.”

For more information, visit bridgeofbooksfoundation.org.

 

Seeking individuals dedicated to preserving Monmouth County’s past

Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon is seeking nominations for the Monmouth County Jane G. Clayton Award and the M. Claire French Award for Leadership in Historic Preservation.  If you know a person or an organization that has gone above and beyond to preserve the history of Monmouth County, nominate that person by July 15.

“The Clayton Award and the French Award will be presented at Archives and History Day on Oct. 13 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters in Manalapan,” said Clerk Hanlon. “These awards will honor and highlight outstanding individuals who have shown a dedication to Monmouth County history.”

Created in 1997, the Jane G. Clayton Award honors individuals who, over a substantial number of years, have made exceptional contributions to the awareness, understanding or preservation of Monmouth County history. The award is named after former Monmouth County Clerk Jane G. Clayton, who was responsible for the creation of the Monmouth County Archives.

Past winners of the Clayton Award include John Belding, Margaret W. Dellinger, Joseph W. Hammond, Angel and Jack Jeandron, Cheryl A. Cook, Wayne T. Bell, Joseph G. Bilby, Edward J. Raser, Garry Wheeler Stone, Lydia Wikoff, Karen L. Schnitzspahn, Gerald Ceres, Flora T. Higgins, Lee Ellen Griffith, Michael S. Adelberg, Gail L. Hunton, Douglas F. Foulks, Wesley Banse, J. Louise Jost, Mary Lou Strong, and George H. Moss.

The M. Claire French Award for Leadership in Historic Preservation was created in 2015 by Clerk Hanlon and recognizes outstanding achievements of an elected official, government employee, public servant or civic organization in supporting historic preservation in Monmouth County through education, development, planning, rehabilitation, advocacy, community leadership or other means.

Freeholder Deputy Director Lillian G. Burry, Fred Carl, and Middletown Mayor (now Freeholder) Gerry P. Scharfenberger, Ph.D. are the previous winners of the French Award.

Archives and History Day will take place on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, located at 125 Symmes Drive in Manalapan. Archives and History Day, an annual event since 1996, is organized by the Monmouth County Archives under the direction of Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon. This year’s exhibit focuses on the buildings of historic interest in Monmouth County. The event is expected to once again host more than 60 exhibitors presenting topics related to New Jersey history and their organizations.

Nomination forms for the Clayton and French Awards can be found online at www.MonmouthCountyClerk.com/Archives.

For more information or to request a nomination form by phone or email, please call 732-308-3771 ext. 3776 or email Shelagh.Reilly@co.monmouth.nj.us.

Meteorologists are predicting significant snowfall overnight in Monmouth County and the Department of Public Works and Engineering is preparing County roads and monitoring the anticipated storm.

“County road crews have been spreading liquid salt brine on County roads since Monday afternoon in advance of the threat of snow,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the County’s Department of Public Works and Engineering. “The County’s snow room will open this evening and we will monitor the storm’s progress. Our process helps us manage the personnel needed at the County’s ten highway districts and dispatch crews as needed.”

According to the National Weather Service, snow, which may be heavy at times, is expected to begin tonight and taper off by Wednesday evening.

“If you must be on the roads, please exercise caution and if you come across plows and sand trucks, make sure to give them room to do their work,” said Arnone. “We have 225 trucks and equipment outfitted with spreading and plowing capabilities.”

Just as the County Public Works crews prepare and plan for winter storms, residents should prepare and plan as well.

“Now is the time to make sure your home and your vehicle are ready for whatever weather comes our way,” said Freeholder Patrick Impreveduto, liaison to the County Office of Emergency Management. “Make sure that you have snow shovels, snow brushes and rock salt or one of the more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways.”

Environmental Protection Agency has a complete list of recommended products that are safe for the environment and your home.

Ready.gov, the national emergency preparedness website has many resources and checklists to help residents plan and prepare for storms and other emergencies. Links to these resources are available on the Monmouth County website. You can also follow Monmouth County Government on Facebook and Twitter for emergency information.

The County maintains about 1,000 lane miles of roads, 35 building complexes and the Belford Ferry Terminal along with assisting municipalities.