Collins Companies and Palmer Foundry Partner with Link to Libraries Donating Hundreds of Books to Help Children & Schools in Need
“Where did these books come from? Are you a magician? This is amazing!”
3rd grade student, Old Mill Pond School, Palmer, MA
HAMPDEN, MA – The Collins Companies of Windsor, CT and Palmer Foundry of Palmer, MA have partnered with Link to Libraries to promote childhood literacy by increasing underserved children’s access to books at school and at home. Through the Link to Libraries Community Book Link (CBL) sponsorship program, The Collins Companies adopted Milton Bradley Elementary School’s library (Springfield, MA) and Palmer Foundry adopted Old Mill Pond School’s library (Palmer, MA). As a result, both schools will receive hundreds of new, high-quality library books each year.
Link to Libraries Community Book Link sponsorship program is designed to help ensure that underserved school libraries have the books they need to inspire young readers. This program establishes a three-year partnership between a business or family and a local school.
On November 5th, the Collins Companies was officially recognized as Milton Bradley Elementary’s Community Book Link Sponsor with a ceremony in the school’s library. Laurie Flynn, Link to Libraries Chief Executive Officer, presented a commemorative plaque to Mary Tuohey Fahey and her sister Kala Tuohey McDonald of the Collins Companies. A classroom of 3rd graders expressed their gratitude with handmade thank you cards. Smiles were all around as the students individually thanked Fahey and McDonald for the new library books.
“Milton Bradley students love to read!” exclaimed school librarian Nancy Stenberg. “Our partnership with the Collins Companies will provide a wide variety of books to broaden their reading interests, keep them engaged, and help them on their journeys to become lifelong learners.”
The Collins Companies, one of the largest industrial distributors of engineered specialties, pipe, valves and fittings (PVF), is a family-owned business. Chief Executive Officer Brian Tuohey and his employees began reading to Ms. Ryan’s 4th grade classroom at Milton Bradley. At the end of each monthly visit, every child gets to pick out a brand-new book to take home. By the end of the school year, the students in Ms. Ryan’s classroom will have their own home libraries of 9 books. “It’s a great experience on every level,” remarked Tuohey.
“The Collins Companies is thrilled to partner with Link to Libraries and Milton Bradley School as a Community Book Link Sponsor,” stated Fahey. “It’s a privilege to see the joy in the children’s eyes as they select a book of their own to bring home each month, which can only help them foster a love for reading and learning. We couldn’t be prouder to have our company and employees supporting this amazing initiative.”
On November 8th, Palmer Foundry was officially recognized as the Community Book Link Sponsor of Old Mill Pond School, which is the second largest elementary school in Massachusetts. Amy Anderlonis, Executive Vice President of Link to Libraries, along with Principal Holly-Beth Riopel and Superintendent of Palmer Schools Matthew Francis, presented a plaque commemorating the sponsorship to Robert Logan, President of Palmer Foundry.
“Old Mill Pond wants to express how much it means to us when community sponsors come forward to support our school,” stated Principal Riopel. “Palmer Foundry’s sponsorship will allow new books to enter our library and get into our students’ hands. It takes a village, and we are so appreciative.”
Logan said he was honored to have Palmer Foundry, which produces aluminum castings for industrial applications, be the Community Book Link sponsor for Old Mill Pond.
“Palmer Foundry is very excited to partner with Link to Libraries and support local Palmer Schools with their literacy programs,” said Logan. “We strongly believe that early mastery of reading is fundamental to long term educational success and overall success of our community. We are thankful for the opportunity to participate in this great program and want to express our gratitude to Palmer’s outstanding teachers and administrators.”
A classroom of eager 3rd graders was also in attendance and couldn’t wait to check out the first delivery of new library books made possible by Palmer Foundry’s sponsorship. “Where did these books come from? Are you a magician? This is amazing!” exclaimed a student.
Link to Libraries Community Book Link sponsors aren’t magicians, but magic does happen when businesses and community come together to support childhood literacy.
“As Principal Riopel said, it takes a village to ensure that children in need in our community succeed in school,” stated Link to Libraries CEO Laurie Flynn. “Link to Libraries is so grateful to the Collins Companies and Palmer Foundry for being a part of our village. Their sponsorships ensure that Milton Bradley and Old Mill Pond students have access to hundreds of new, diverse library books that inspire a love of reading while helping build early literacy skills.”
About Link to Libraries
Link to Libraries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to distribute new books to school and home libraries in need. By increasing a child’s access to books, Link to Libraries strives to enhance the language and literacy skills of children of all cultural backgrounds. To date, Link to Libraries has donated over one million new books and sponsors 78 schools in need throughout Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut. To learn more about Link to Libraries visit www.linktolibraries.org
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