Donating 10,000 books to The Book Fairies

The Book Fairies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting literacy by distributing books to under-resourced communities, received an incredible donation on Oct 19. 

Over 10,000 books were generously donated by the organization, Operation Child Rescue Inc., a nonprofit spearheaded by William Dobie, the CEO committed to providing resources to children and families in need.

The collaboration between Operation CR Inc. and Champions Martial Arts International, a chain of martial arts organizations with locations in Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Long Island proved to be a massive success. 

The two organizations came together to host book drives in various locations to collect books for The Book Fairies. Champions Martial Arts actively participates in numerous donation events with Operation CR, exemplifying the importance of giving back to the community.

Operation CR Inc. has a mission to use martial arts and its students to provide resources for children in need, including medical care, food, and other essentials. The organization believes that martial artists should not only learn self-defense techniques but also understand the value of giving back to their communities.

The book drive event, from Sept. 18 to Oct. 18, marked a significant expansion of Operation CR’s efforts. While they typically focus on collecting food, clothes, and toys, this was their first book drive event, and it proved to be a tremendous success, resulting in a collection of 10,000 books.

“Eileen was really surprised by the amount,” Dobie said. “She didn’t expect to have that many books and she said those would be able to last for a while to give out.”

Champions Martial Arts International mobilized its students and locations throughout New York to collect and donate books for the cause. The books were collected from numerous locations, primarily within New York, with the participation of dozens of Champions Martial Arts International schools.

The decision to collaborate with The Book Fairies, a Freeport-based nonprofit, was made because of the organization’s commitment to providing books to those in need across New York and Long Island. The Book Fairies’ mission aligns perfectly with Operation CR’s goals, as they both aim to make a positive impact in the community.

“I just saw all of the work that Book Fairies was doing, and I read about them and how they  provide children and  people in need of books in both New York and Long Island,” Dobie said. “I really wanted to choose this organization because of that and because they cover both areas. They give out a lot of books, and they help a lot of people that need them.”

Eileen Minogue, the Executive Director of The Book Fairies, expressed her gratitude for the substantial donation, stating that the 10,000 books would go a long way in helping children and individuals in need. She was pleasantly surprised by the generosity of Operation CR Inc. and Champions Martial Arts International.

“We were incredibly thrilled to receive the remarkable collection of books gathered by Operation Child Rescue during their Book Fairies book drive,” Minogue said. “Witnessing the high interest, gently used books arriving in the boxes they generously donated was truly amazing. The drive was a resounding success, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to every club that participated in this collection.”

Operation CR Inc. is actively seeking support for its nonprofit mission, especially during the holiday season, when many individuals are in need. They encourage people to visit their website at www.operationcr.com for more information and to consider offering financial support to help provide essential resources to those less fortunate.

“We aim to raise awareness for our nonprofit during the holiday season,” Dobie said. “While gratitude is essential, we’re aware that not everyone has the basics they need, such as food and toys for children. We hope that people will consider supporting our cause, either by getting in touch with us directly or visiting our website. Your financial support will enable us to provide assistance to those in need.”

The success of this year’s book drive inspired Operation CR Inc. to consider making it an annual event or even hosting it twice a year. They are also open to collaborating with The Book Fairies in future efforts, as the impact of their partnership was significant in supporting literacy and community well-being.

“They exemplify the profound sentiment of ‘it takes a village.,’” Minogue said. “We are hopeful that they may consider conducting these drives on a yearly or quarterly basis and that they inspire other organizations to consider doing a book drive for us.” 

For more information on Operation CR Inc. and their initiatives, you can visit their website at operationcr.com or contact director William Dobie at operationcr2018@gmail.com.