PCPS donates books to local agencies

Above: Volunteer groups from AAA North Penn and Penn State Scranton sort book donations in preparation for the 2022 United Way Day of Caring.

Since its inception in 2007 by Dean Emeritus Debra Pellegrino, Ed.D., the Blessing of the Books has been a labor of love both for PCPS and our first-year students. Over the course of 15 years, the annual book collection distributed over 35,000 children’s books to children in need. Each book includes a handwritten note from a first-year student. As the Panuska College of Professional Studies continues to transform and transition, so do our initiatives. Beginning with the Class of 2026, we will begin a new chapter by offering a new first-year student experience in spring 2023.

Although we are no longer accepting new donations, we find ourselves with a large reserve of children’s books needing homes, because our community is as generous as it is. During the summer of 2022, several local agencies were contacted to inquire if the books were of interest and in need, and indeed they were!

So far, four local agencies have picked up 46 boxes and totes full of books signed by PCPS students. These agencies include: United Neighborhood Centers; St. Joseph’s Center Baby Pantry; St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen; and the Catherine McCauley Center. Now that the word is getting out in the community, we have received several new requests for remaining books, including from the Dunmore PTA, who would use the books for a free vending machine in the Dunmore School District, the Occupational Therapy Program for a Dominican Republic service trip, and the Agency for Community EmPOWERment of NEPA, who will use the books in their 40 Head Start Centers located in Lackawanna, Wayne, Pike and Susquehanna Counties.

Students in PCPS departments continue to handwrite notes in the remaining books. Once all of the books have a personally written note, the books will be distributed to all interested local agencies. Our goal is to have all of the books distributed to agencies and in the hands of happy children before Christmas.

HAPPILY SWIMMING IN BOOKS! :) THANKS SO MUCH! I WISH YOU COULD SEE THE DELIGHT ON THE KIDS’ FACES EVERY TIME WE GO TO THE ‘BOOK STORE’ FOR THEM TO TAKE BOOKS HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES.

–– Kelly Langan, Director of Children & Teens at United Neighborhood Centers