Libraries across Suffolk County are teaming up for a first-of-its-kind event called The Great Give Back this Saturday, Oct. 14.
The libraries will be running events from clothing drives, to scavenger hunts, to everything in between.
The goal is to highlight community service programs in all their forms.
“One of our greatest assets, frankly, is the community service that we do,” said Jamie Papandrea, the president of the Public Library Directors’ Association. “There are great diversity in what our colleagues are doing. The librarians here in Suffolk are quite innovative and passionate.”
That will be on display Saturday.
In addition to the library staffers, many of the teenage volunteers will also be helping to run the programs.
“Most of the [young people] like volunteering and want to help others,” said Papandrea.
At Babylon Public Library, for instance, Operation Gratitude will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Library’s Community Room. The library will provide materials for families to write letters of thanks to U.S. troops. “We are also seeking donations of new or gently used Beanie Babies to send to those far from home,” the library’s event listing reads.
Fifty libraries, including West Islip, East Islip, West Babylon and North Babylon, will be participating in the day. You can check what each location is doing here.
Photo Credit: Babylon Public Library on Facebook
