James Lynch is no stranger to our Club. He is also no stranger to Highland Park. As the executive director of The Art Center, he strives to keep the Center connected to the community and expand its exposure to all art forms like dance and music. On this day, he shared with us a collaborative project we are sure to get behind. For some time now, James has worked with Seena Jacob who began Bookwallah, a non-profit creating libraries in orphanages in India, Indonesia, Ghana and even in refugee camps. Her U.S. project is Magic Crate Libraries which are placed in laundromats and grocery stores throughout her Chicago neighborhood. Children can borrow, exchange or even just take a book in that crate. The idea is get books into the hands of children. James said TAC will decorate the crates and the Highwood library will supply the extra story books from their collection. He would love to have our Club help with the delivery and occasional re-stocking in needy areas along the lakeshore like Zion, Waukegan, and Highwood. This is a project close to his heart because reading transported him to places outside his environment, It is also a recurring theme we've heard in the past year - the need for so many underserved children to have access to books to improve their learning. Once more information about drop off places is determined, James will let us know where and when we can help. |