This is a much overdue post. For the past 2 months, Zach and I have collected children’s books to donate in memory of Stella and Joy. When I came up with the idea, I didn’t really set any expectations. I didn’t want to aim high and be let down, so I just had a “let’s see what happens” attitude. Well, any expectations I could have set were far exceeded. I am grateful and humbled to be able to announce we collected just shy of 850 children’s books!!
We donated the books to two different locations in Montgomery County. First, we donated about 250 brand new books to Montgomery County Court Care’s A Storybook Christmas Drive. These books were distributed to the many families at the Court Child Care Center, Laurel House, and the Women’s Center of Montgomery County. When my parents dropped off the books, the employees were overwhelmed. They hadn’t received many books, as most people donate clothing and gift cards. Obviously these are so important, but for many of these families, these children have never owned a book. It is exciting to know my daughters’ memory will be preserved while enriching the lives of other children.
The 600 other new and used books we received were donated to the Montgomery County Child Care Information Services in Norristown. CCIS helps families find funding for childcare. They also work with County run daycares to provide support and a safe place for the children in needy families. The books we donated will be distributed to families, children, and daycares throughout the county. Again, the staff was overwhelmed when we dropped the books off last Friday.
It is a bittersweet feeling. I am honored that our book drive will help enrich the lives of so many children and families, but I hate the reason if came to be. The selfish part of me wishes I never had a book drive to plan. Wishes I had my daughters to celebrate the holidays with. As I sit typing this, I can feel my next chapter kicking me and rolling around. Oliver brings me hope for the future. I can’t wait for the day he is old enough to understand just how many lives his sisters touched.
Zach and I are planning to run this book drive every year and we hope it continues to grow and we can continue to help those families in need. I cannot thank everyone enough for donating their books and money. The support and love we have received over the past 13 months has been incredible. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
What a beautiful lasting tribute to Stella and Joy. The love you have for them is being spread to other families and children through these books.