BOOK DONATIONS -- NEW AND GENTLY USED
Since the pandemic began, RIF of NOVA has been soliciting donations of new and like-new used books so children in need may have many more reading options. If you have new or like-new used children's books -- from pre-K to grade 8 -- please let us know via our email: rifnova@gmail.com.
We will pick them up, bag them by age group, and deliver them to deserving children/families who are hungry for books to read! It's one of the many ways NOVA RIF is working to provide books to the deserving children in our community. So far, we have collected almost 20,000 new and previously loved books to share with children in the Northern Virginia RIF community! Thank you!
We will pick them up, bag them by age group, and deliver them to deserving children/families who are hungry for books to read! It's one of the many ways NOVA RIF is working to provide books to the deserving children in our community. So far, we have collected almost 20,000 new and previously loved books to share with children in the Northern Virginia RIF community! Thank you!
Golden Gala Guest Author Fred Bowen, author of the action-packed Fred Bowen Sports Story series, signed and donated more than 50 of his sports books to RIF of NOVA. The books found homes with students at Patrick Henry K-8 School in Alexandria. Thank you, Fred!
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FC Bayern München is the most successful football club in Germany. The local fan club, DC Bayern Capitol 11, held a match watch party at Arlington's Bronson Bierhall in late February with a special outreach to NOVA RIF. Fans who brought a children's book were eligible for a raffle and prizes. Soccer, brews, and books for kids! Oh, and mascot FC Bayern Bernie, too! Such fun for all!
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Jacqueline Joyce is a 7th grader in Arlington, VA. As she noted, "I am an avid reader and have been ever since I can remember! I am privileged enough to have an abundance of books, ranging from basic picture books to grade level chapter books -- some much loved and some barely touched. I would like to share this privilege with others in our community who may not be as fortunate but who are just as hungry for more books as I am." Thank you, Jackie!
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Taylor Pavlak is in 11th grade. She hosted a book drive through her local neighborhood HOA. She explained, "I wanted to spread the joy of reading since it is something that has helped me, especially during the pandemic. I asked people to donate books and got over 100 donations for local children!" Great work, Taylor!
The Community Relations Committee of the Heritage Hunt age 55 and better community in Gainesville enthusiastically spread their love of reading to RIF of NOVA by sponsoring a Children’s Book Drive in March. Their enthusiasm was contagious as residents from throughout the community heeded the call to give new or very gently used children’s books and donated nearly 400 books!
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As part of her mitzvah project, seventh grader Alexandra Kocsis held a book drive at her synagogue. She included a reading challenge activity where children could move a "hiker" on a map of the Israel National Trail (like the Appalachian Trail) to log their time reading, and learn more about Israel at the same time.
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Sixth grader Jeffrey Monsky gave over a hundred books to NOVA RIF, including many of his favorites from two different series: the Magic Tree House and Charlie The Ranch Dog. These books will be grabbed up fast by new readers! Thank you, Jeffrey!
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Eighth grader Wilcox Wray helped his grandmother, Cathy Wray, deliver a collection of gently used books to RIF of NOVA. A retired special education teacher, Cathy wanted her vast collection of children's books to reach children who otherwise would not have the opportunity to experience the joy of reading.
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The Wingenfeld brothers, second grader Hugo (l) and third grader Gunnar, shared some of the books they had outgrown in the hope that NOVA RIF children would be able to enjoy reading as much as they do.
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Anna Promen, second grade, is ready for chapter books (and graphic books) so she decided to share her collection of beginning readers with younger children. She hopes her books will help others learn to read.
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First graders at Wolftrap Elementary School took to heart a poster in the school office that encourages students to be kind to others. With the help of teacher Lindsay Siggers, they collected over 100 NEW books for RIF of NOVA to spread their joy in reading to others.
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From Sarah F, Girl Scout Cadette Troop 50007 in Vienna:
As our Cadette service project, our troop decided to collect books for Reading is Fundamental of Northern Virginia. We are very honored as a troop to take an active part in inspiring children to love reading. Our troop is very passionate about reading, and we want to make sure every kid gets to read. We are very grateful for all the wonderful people who donated their books to our drive. We hope that each and every book inspires another kid. As a troop, we thank Reading is Fundamental of Northern Virginia, for creating hope. Creating hope...how wonderful is that! Thank you, Troop 50007 for 9 boxes and 17 bags = 800 books! Zowie! |
Jaxon (5) and Mila (3), both students at Country Day School in McLean, displayed books collected for NOVA RIF. Together, CDS families contributed a total of 555 books during a drive that culminated at the Annual CDS Book Fair in late October. Additionally, all students in the Twos through Kindergarten made bookmarks with their classrooms to give along with the books to their new owners! When kids share with kids! So wonderful!
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Travis (8) is on a mission to update his bedroom and make a spot for a reading nook. He rearranged his space and, after clearing out his old picture books for donation to Reading is Fundamental of NOVA, he now has room to get comfy and read. He hopes his books will bring joy to a new group of readers as well. They will, for sure! Thank you, Travis!
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Sixth grader Riley Whitt, a voracious reader, cleared out his elementary school books to make space for his new reading interests as a middle school student. The result: More great books to share with NOVA RIF children! Thank you, Riley!
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Elyssa Rome's Bat Mitzvah project was devoted to books for RIF of NOVA! In addition to a book drive, which netted several boxes of gently used books, Eyssa's friends and relatives contributed funds for new books, too! Congratulations, Elyssa, and thank you!
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Mary Beth Manion Morell, a former school librarian, runs an online bookshop called Lion & Dragonfly Book Collections. For every five books she sells, she donates one. As she wrote, "I would love to donate some books in the Northern Virginia area. I have about 100 hard cover picture books to be donated from our summer sales." Those books are now in our collection for delivery to NOVA RIF children! Thank you, Mary Beth!
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NYU graduate Tharren Clark, a child of two educators, grew up with lots of books. He continues to share his love of books with other children who aren't as lucky. In this photo, Tharren displays his fourth collection of books purchased for NOVA RIF children! We are so grateful for Tharren's involvement in our work!
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Teacher Eric Fritz unloaded books collected by the Lightridge High School English Honor Society. Honor Society student Lyn Motter had the idea for a book drive and organized the event. However, he couldn't be there for the photo because he was on his way to Disney World with the school band.
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A Mother's Gift in a Daughter's Memory
Nancy Hymes Houseknecht passed away of cancer in 2017 at the age of 47. However, her light and love of reading and books continues to shine, thanks to a memorial donation to RIF of NOVA of her collection of nearly 100 children's books. In donating the collection, mom Mary Hymes noted, "Nancy was an enthusiastic reader as a young girl and a recipient of books from RIF of NOVA at her elementary school in Alexandria." Throughout her high school years, Nancy worked at a children’s bookstore near her home in Burke, where she became an enthusiastic book recommender and led many store activities to promote a love of reading. She continued to be a voracious reader throughout her years at Virginia Tech and into her professional life as an award-winning graphic designer at the American Shakespeare Center. Mary hopes her daughter's cherished books "will bring as much happiness to their young recipients as they brought to Nancy." RIF of NOVA is honored to share Nancy's books with children in our community. |
Nancy Hymes Houseknecht
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Phil Rippa, LEAD office manager, supported the GMU book drive efforts
The LEAD Office at George Mason University, focuses on leadership development for GMU students. Leadership consultant Elena Dajero wrote to NOVA RIF:
"We believe everyone has the potential to be a leader, and we strive to provide workshops, resources, and events to Mason students and the outside community. We also focus our efforts on more effective ethical leaders for the world and for positive change. We originally came up this book drive by researching local organizations, and we read the great features on your website and how the books directly help children in the community. We felt this was a timely service project as families went through spring cleaning and found books that needed a new home! |
Leadership consultants D.J. Grant (l) and Elena Dajero led the way for the GMU book drive
"We organized the drive and created the university-wide competition to promote our collection efforts."
So great! Thank you, GMU, for leading the way with this generous book drive! |
In spring 2022, NOVA RIF received an email from two sisters, along with an offer of some of their gently used books ... and if this doesn't just warm your heart, nothing will!
"Hi, My name is Leena, and I have a sister whose name is Naina. I would like to tell you a little about ourselves. My younger sister is in first grade, and she's slowly starting to read some simple chapter books. I am in fifth grade, and I love chapter books in the genre of fantasy, realistic fiction, and historical fiction. We both love to read books with pictures and descriptions. So, we came across your website, and we saw your mission. My sister and I think your mission is amazing. |
"We would like to help out because we want to give the opportunity for other kids to read books and enjoy them since we read that some of the children in the community do not have any books. We have many books for children, and we hope you like them."
We, of course, accepted! :) Many of Leena's and Naina's Pre-K through first grade books have already found new homes in the NOVA RIF community! 
Olga Autote and Raider Ferreira collected over 300 books for a NOVA RIF donation. Thank you!
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The Welcome Club of Northern Virginia (WCNV) held a book drive to help NOVA RIF. When delivering the books -- along with some checks to buy additional books -- WCNV's Connie LePore (middle of photo) said, "Such a good cause! Enjoy the books and use the money for more." (We will!) Also pictured are Karen Peterson (l) and Judy Huber (r). All three are former teachers. Thank you, WCNV!
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Emily McDermott posed with several boxes of books for NOVA RIF. An author herself, she knows the value of a good children's book! Her book, Little One, is profiled on our local author page. Click here for that! Thank you, Emily!
Credit -- Author, Emily McDermott; Illustrator, Hannah Adams
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Ilan Rotem is 12 and in 7th grade. He celebrated his bar mitzvah in September 2022, and collected gently used books as his project. He originally started his collection for a prison program that sought children’s books for inmates to read online to their children. When that program was filled, Ilan searched for another local organization where he could donate his growing collection. Voila! RIF of NOVA! Thank you, Ilan!
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Carrie Frasier, an independent consultant for
Usborne Books, held a fundraiser on behalf of RIF of NOVA and donated more than $500 worth of new Pre-K through sixth-grade books for children in our community. We so appreciate these brand new books for NOVA RIF children! |
After clearing their bookshelves to make space for new acquisitions, fourth grader Marek and sixth grader Zoe Crowder were delighted to pass these books on so other children can enjoy them. Their mom, Karen Gilbride, describes her children as "avid" readers. We suspect that Grandma Gilbride, who worked as a children's librarian at Fairfax County Public Library's Chantilly branch, may also have contributed to their love of books.
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Giving Tuesday 2021 was a big day at St. Louis K-8 Catholic School in Alexandria (Fairfax County). The student council there set up a book-raiser for RIF of NOVA and collected 2,000 books to share with other children in our community! A Facebook post on the school's website captured the success of this very special event. Thank you, young leaders at St. Louis School!
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 Kappa Kappa Gamma's Amaia Stecker posed with just some of the books donated by her Kappa sisters
Kappa Kappa Gamma is a collegiate sorority, found on many campuses throughout the U.S. As a national organization, Kappa partners with the national Reading is Fundamental organization (RIF.org) "to help underserved kids discover the joy of reading and books." |
Kappa's Sally Troup showed several books for donation to NOVA RIF -- with help from a furry friend
For many years, the Northern Virginia Kappa alumnae chapter has partnered with RIF of NOVA, and even joined in with a team to run/walk in the 2019 Book It For Books 5K. The NOVA alumnae chapter collected both new and gently used books for our book donation program! Thank you, Kappas, for your ongoing support for RIF of NOVA!!!
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Charmelle Smith (l), a special ed teacher and administrator with the D.C. Public Schools collected new books for a stem program, which was cancelled during the pandemic. Wanting the books to get into the hands of children this year, she donated them to NOVA RIF for our spring book distributions. Brandon Howard helped with the delivery of more than eighty beautiful books celebrating science and the diversity of people who have contributed to major scientific advances.
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Daisy Troop 51102 in Herndon, VA collected approximately 400 books to donate to NOVA RIF. The troop is comprised of nine first-grade students from St. Joseph Catholic School. The girls enjoyed working with other troops within the school to collect books and then assisted with sorting and counting them. They were proud to be able to support those who may not be able to afford books of their own! Thank you, scouts!
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When Patricia Boyle retired from her tutoring business earlier this year, she wanted to find a new home for her collection of children’s books. She chose NOVA RIF so the books would continue to help youngsters develop a love of reading. As she packed the books, she remembered the students with whom she had shared them, hoping the books would continue to nurture children as they developed their reading skills.
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Sam Adams found some special books for kids and donated them to NOVA RIF. Below, the Ziff family added special artwork to their book donation!
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Rising sixth-grader McKenzie Watt, now a NOVA RIF Young Ambassador -- joined RIF of NOVA to celebrate Read Across America Day. When she learned that some children do not have books in their homes, she set up an organization, Kenzie’s Kids, to collect new and gently used children’s books to distribute to children in the NOVA community. McKenzie has already given over 2,000 books to local charities. In the video, she explains why she is helping RIF of NOVA. Thank you, McKenzie!
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Ms. Akbar’s fourth grade class at Forestville Elementary School in Great Falls wanted a contactless service project they could undertake in spite of the pandemic. PTA class mother Jennifer Morcos made the connection with NOVA RIF, and the drive was on.
Not only did the children collect nearly 200 books, they also made bookmarks for the new book owners to enjoy! Nine-year-old Andrew Morcos shows the results! Go Ms. Akbar's class...and thank you! |
Fifth graders Cooper and Kaitlyn Selig both love reading. Kaitlyn is an avid reader of historical fiction, and her favorite book is whatever she is currently reading. Cooper loves graphic novels and any book that talks about Minecraft.
Their mom, Heather, says her children were first introduced to NOVA RIF when they were students at Drew Elementary. Their dad, Ben, remembers Reading is Fundamental public service ads from the 1970s. As NOVA RIF heads towards its 50th anniversary in 2022, our name is still true: Reading is Fundamental! |
Caithlin Allen staged a Cards for a Cause campaign to raise funds to purchase brand new Usborne books -- in English and Spanish -- for RIF of NOVA. She is shown here with sons Connor, age four, and Sammie, two, with samples of the more than 250 books she donated to NOVA RIF. Such a cool idea from this former teacher who knows how much books matter, particularly to children who do not have them at home.
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Axel and Eva Pozinsky (above) attend Primrose School of Haymarket. They joined their classmates in collecting books to share as they celebrated Read Across America Day. Children at Primrose School in Aldie held a book drive, too. Student Mabel Hayes (below) showed off that collection. Thanks to the children and families who made these drives happen!
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Sabrina Lampron is studying international politics at Georgetown and living at home while attending online classes. While at home, she realized that it was a good time to weed out her childhood book collection. She chose RIF of NOVA for her donation, hoping to pass on her life-long love of reading to others. Great choice, Sabrina. Much appreciated!
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Addie Clift and sister Marley-Grace collectied gently used books for NOVA RIF
West Potomac High School rising junior Addie Clift -- now a RIF of NOVA Young Ambassador -- undertook a gently used book drive for RIF of NOVA. To get the word out, she posted her appeal on social media, wrote an article for her high school weekly newspaper, and reached out to her younger sister and young cousins to get the word to elementary school families in her community. She was able to collect 1,600 books from all of her contacts. Amazing! This is not Addie’s first contribution to RIF of NOVA. In 2019, she and several friends set up a GoFundMe appeal for NOVA RIF, and she donned the Clifford costume for our Book It for Books 5-K Race, to the delight of the children who attended the event.
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Girls participating in Haycock Elementary School's Girls on the Run program selected NOVA RIF for their community impact project. The third- through fifth-grade girls collected a car trunk full of more than 400 books to share with other children, with the full support of their coaches (l-r) Rhea Chatterjee, Sara Bilello, Lea Krohn, and Molly Ashmore (not pictured). So great!
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The Vesey White family has been doing holiday book drives for children for 18 years. Despite the pandemic, they continued this special holiday tradition in 2020. This time, four-year-old Danny was happy to help his family with the drive, and he was proud to assist with his family’s third annual donation of books to RIF of NOVA children. One of Danny's favorite books is I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen -- so he donated a new copy of the book to NOVA RIF, hoping another child will love the story, too! |
Tharren Clark, a graduate of New York University and a child of two educators, grew up with books. He tries to bring that experience to others with an annual donation of new books he purchases throughout the year. He has given to California RIF in the past, when he lived in Los Angeles, helping the Afro-Latino community. This photo captures his second collection for NOVA RIF; he now has donated a third collection! His first collection was donated to young readers at Kenmore Middle School and Carlin Springs Elementary School, both in Arlington. Thank you, Tharren! You rock!
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Meghan Wang utilized an opportunity to host an Usborne Book Party to collect books for NOVA RIF. Since her own children, fifteen-month old Margot and three-year old Julian, love the many books they have in their house, Meghan decided to use the hostess credits to purchase books for RIF of NOVA children so that they, too, could have access to books in their homes.
Meghan invited guests to bring a book to the event or purchase one at the party to donate to NOVA RIF. Margot and brother Julian were enthusiastic about all of the books going to find homes with local children. Their best recommendation for good reading? A fire truck board book. Well, of course! |
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Four-year-old Rosemary Gratien was a little helper to her mom, Kathy Ellen Davis, as they gathered up some gently used books to donate to RIF of NOVA. Peeking out in this photo, Rosemary loves books -- which is no surprise since her mom is a children's book author. Her book, Ta-Da! tells about a day in the lives of two imaginative children. In 2018, Kirkus Reviews said about the book, "The only thing better about this full day of play is having one in real life." Check out Kathy's website here!
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RIF of NOVA Advisory board member Ruby Osia contributed gently used books.
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Beverly Kinzer gave over 150 books. She chose RIF of NOVA because she wanted to be sure the books her children enjoyed found their way into other young hands to be read and enjoyed again!
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RIF of NOVA supporter Frances Wu found several boxes of books to give to the cause!
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RIF of NOVA board member Bradley Vineyard and son Ben collected several bags of books to donate to children in the RIF of NOVA community. Many of these books were shared with kids at Mount Eagle Elementary.
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As a senior at Flint Hill School in Oakton, Morgan Starnes donated books to NOVA RIF that she had enjoyed as a young adult. Morgan is a writer, graphic designer, and filmmaker, so she has always loved stories. Growing up with books and movies has shaped who she is today. As she explains, “I'm so excited to send these books into new loving arms!"
***** Below, Woodson High School Key Club members collected several bags and boxes of books for a NOVA RIF donation. Pictured here are sisters Sophie and Ella Jackson, both Key Club members. The third- through fifth-grade chapter books they collected have already been delivered to one of our schools! 
Isaac Leong is a middle school student at Kenmore Middle School, one of the schools NOVA RIF supports. As part of a service project for his Bar Mitzvah, he collected gently used books to donate. He is pictured here with part of the collection. Says Isaac, "I hope to collect a lot more before I am done." Thank you, Isaac!
Below, Patricia Velkoff poses with several boxes of books from a local library book sale. She found RIF of NOVA doing an online search and knew her books would find new homes with NOVA RIF children. (They have!)
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Annandale's Girl Scout troop 55044 wanted to do something special to help the girls earn a Bronze Award (the third highest award for Girl Scouts, open to junior level scouts). The solution? A gently used book drive! The girls collected over 900 books and donated them to several school libraries, along with several boxes of third- through fifth-grade books for RIF of NOVA. Said one troop member: "It was a fun project to gather books from people that no longer needed them and give them away to others that do need them."
***** Below, as a third-grader and budding soccer star, Adam Promen wanted to make space in his bedroom for his new chapter books. What to do with his "younger-kid" books? Give them to RIF of NOVA, of course! Thanks Adam! 
Thank you to all who have given gently used books. In addition to those pictured on this page, several other individuals and families are on the NOVA RIF gently-used-book-donor honor roll, as noted below:
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