Cherry Hill Nonprofit Approaches 1M Donations For Book Deserts

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Cherry Hill-based BookSmiles is closing in on half a million books distributed since Larry Abrams founded the non-profit organization in 2017, Abrams said during Monday night’s township council meeting.

“We believe that every single child should have access to a library right there in their own home,” Abrams said. “It’s not fair that some kids grow up around books and some don’t. At BookSmiles, we redistribute book wealth. We irrigate book deserts.”

BookSmiles collects books for children throughout the region, so they can start their own libraries, starting from infancy.

“We focus on providing students and younger siblings with high-quality books, thereby laying the groundwork for academic success,” the organization says on its website. “We also provide educators, especially those serving Title I schools, with unlimited books for their classroom libraries as well as for their students' personal collections.”

In Cherry Hill, books are collected at its 24/7 bin outside the BookBank, 1879 Old Cuthbert Drive. There are also locations in Berlin, Collingswood, Haddon Heights, Haddonfield, Lawrenceville, Lindenwold, Moorestown, Medford, Mount Laurel, Tabernacle, and Washington Township. There are also two locations in Pennsylvania.

BookSmiles also invites volunteers to start their own book drives. It provides information on how to do so here.

Abrams was one of two Cherry Hill residents who were honored Monday night after they were awarded the Camden County Freedom Medal.

The Camden County Freedom Medal, created by the county in 2001, is presented to civic leaders who demonstrate ideals and actions that reflect the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Council also honored Jennifer Lewis-Hall, a keynote speaker for many organizations covering topics like human trafficking, volunteerism, community service, and education. She is a published author and journalist with an extensive resume of volunteer work.

She is an active member of the Cherry Hill African Civic Association and established the Arthur & Evelyn Lewis Trailblazer Award in 2018, which recognizes scholarship applicants who have given back to their community. Civic engagement is a central pillar of her life, and you will often find her volunteering on committees, reviewing scholarship projects, or speaking before legislators on pressing issues. See related: 5 Cherry Hill Residents Honored With Freedom Medals

This story is part of Patch's Headlining Hope series, which profiles local nonprofits and charitable organizations in need of volunteers and resources. If you know of a local organization that should be profiled, contact Anthony.Bellano@patch.com.