Books for Hope

Susi Eckelmann (left), me, and Jennifer Friendly                          La Shawn Hye

As a Book Giver for World Book Night (see "Share the Love (of Reading)," Dec. 2012, and "A Bookish Reception," April 2013), I received 20 copies of one of my favorites, Norton Juster's The Phantom Tollbooth and knew immediately where I wanted to donate them, if they were willing ~ the Project Hope School, in Orange (Southern California).
   Three years ago, I had gone there with my own little school as a community service. Our children read to the younger kids, and then we all walked to the lovely park across the parking lot and played games and ran relay races. As it was the day before St. Patrick's Day, there were lots of sparkly green options for prizes, and everyone had a great time.
   So, that in mind, I called and spoke with Project Hope Alliance Administrative Assistant Susi Eckelmann. Yes, they were very interested! They are starting a new project, a library on wheels, and they need books. Perfect timing.
   The place has changed a lot. The Alliance office, next door to the school, has grown and now looks quite professional ~ cubicles! ~ but the people in it are still open, friendly, and cheerful. The new executive director, Jennifer Friend, has an amazing life story of her own, in which she has returned to her roots, so to speak, in order to help the children whose issues she understands so well: http://www.coastmagazine.com/articles/jenniferfriend-2521--.html?referrer=facebook