10,000 and counting!

The Northern New Jersey Business Volunteer Council (BVC), which is sponsored by the Volunteer Center, recently completed an astonishing feat: collecting and distributing 12,673 children’s books! The project was the BVC's the 10th annual "Books in a Bag" initiative to promote early literacy. Books were collected at BVC member companies and distributed to early childhood centers serving primarily low-income families in New Jersey; we also sponsored a "Big Book Give-Away" for families participating in our mentoring programs.

Books in a Bag kicked off on March 2 on “Read Across America Day" and wrapped up at the end of the school year. This year’s participating companies included BMW of North America, Patton Boggs, Spectra Laboratories, TD Bank, UPS Information Services, Ricoh, Classic Residence by Hyatt, Heritage Point of Teaneck, Hertz, Pearson Education, Reader's Digest, and United Water. The campaign was underwritten by Pearson Education, Spectra Laboratories, United Water, and UPS. Thanks to our sponsors and to all the donors of books who made "Books in a Bag" so successful!

The Northern New Jersey Business Volunteer Council is comprised of of 32 businesses that work year-round to help children and families in need. For more information on membership in the BVC, please call Tess Tomasi at 201-489-9454, ext.114, or e-mail ttomasi@bergenvolunteers.org.