Reading books to children is a meaningful way to share calm, bonding, focused time together, especially with families self-isolating during COVID-19. Children’s books can take you into another world, inspiring imagination and distraction, if only for a short time. Reading at bedtime also creates a well-needed structure in children’s lives.
A group of high school student volunteers, the Westhill Angels, have organized a contactless children’s book drive. The books will be distributed to the families of Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County (CLC) as well as some of the children of hospital workers, who are temporarily being cared for and educated at CLC by some of the teachers. Books will be picked up from the bottom of the donor’s driveway by the Westhill Angel volunteers, who will wear masks and gloves. The books will be held in storage for several days to ensure safety and cleanliness.
Westhill High School rising senior Lorenzo Mazzara founded Westhill Angels, together with his peers Nate Cooper, Talia Kunin, and Gaurov Bansal. The group began by fundraising for Stamford Health and has now expanded, providing some meals for teachers at Children’s Learning Centers. The Westhill Angels heard about the need for children’s books at CLC and has decided to take on the challenge.
Do you have children’s books you no longer need? Email: lorymaz17@gmail.com. To learn more, visit clcfc.org
