Link to Libraries
2 Wilbraham Rd, Hampden, MA 01036, United States of America
(413) 654-7241
Link to Libraries sponsor event to ease MCAS jitters
March 30, 2023
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Students at the Milton Bradley Elementary School in Springfield had a special visitor Thursday afternoon. The students were getting ready to show what they know in the upcoming MCAS tests.
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno provided some encouragement to students at the Mulberry Street school at a Link to Libraries sponsored event. The mayor read the students a book about taking a test and spoke to them about overcoming their jitters.
“I get butterflies in my stomach too, and I told them you are going to be a little nervous before the test, but transfer those butterflies in your stomach to adrenaline. I know you can, and will do it. You know what you know, and you can prove it on on the MCAS test that you take,” expressed Sarno.
Students were in high spirits; cheering and waving creative handmade signs covered in colorful words of encouragement. Principal Kristen Hughes also gave a student an award for outstanding performance on last year’s MCAS test.
Link to Libraries has given out more than one million books, many to Springfield public schools.
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By Ron Chimelis | rchimelis@repub.com (Masslive) The Toy for Joy campaign is in its final stages, but a late surge in donations will make countless children and families happy this Christmas. The campaign deadline of Dec. 24 comes so quickly. But donations received just before or on that date, or in the mail just after the deadline, count just as much and will go directly toward providing toys, games and books to children from Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. Even a contribution mailed on the deadline day of Dec. 24 is applied to the cause. Now in its 102nd year, Toy for Joy has again been sponsored by the Salvation Army, which has been involved with the drive since the 1950s. The organization’s citadels in Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield have been distributing gifts to deserving children. Promoting literacy among children has been a Toy for Joy mission for years. This year, Link to Libraries again supported the cause in a major way by providing 1,000 brand new, age-appropriate books to the Salvation Army. “These books are worth approximately $5,000 in all. Last year, we donated 600, so we were able to nearly double it this year,” said Amy Anderlonis, executive vice-president of the Hampden-based Link to Libraries nonprofit. “We think books are the best gift. To make it happen, we rely on the generosity of local businesses,” Anderlonis said. “For many children, their first book comes from us. Salvation Army was having some trouble getting age-appropriate books, but we think partnering with them helps all of us, and the children.” Anderlonis said Link to Libraries was formed in 2008 out of deep concern that so many children in school struggle because of reading challenges. The agency has donated over one million books, at an average of more than 50,000 per year, to encourage a lifelong love of reading by children. Armed with quality toys and books for the children, Toy for Joy is promoted and advertised by The Republican, Reminder Publishing, MassLive and El Pueblo Latino. All contributions will be recognized and published in The Republican and Reminder Publications, and online by MassLive.com.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – MGM Springfield is partnering with “Link to Libraries” to support literacy in Springfield Public Schools. The literacy organization works with companies to increase access to reading for children. Since the start of the program in 2008, Link to Libraries has distributed over one million new books to school and home libraries statewide. On Tuesday morning MGM Springfield and representatives from Link to Libraries hosted a holiday book reading party at the White Street School in Springfield, donating books to the children to bring home for the holiday break. “We are celebrating the season of giving,” explained Jennifer McGrath, Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement for MGM Springfield. “If this doesn’t grow your heart 3 times the size, I don’t know what will.” MGM Springfield also presented a check for $2,500 to Link to Libraries to support them in their efforts. View story on WWLP
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.
By Ron Chimelis | rchimelis@repub.com (Masslive) The Toy for Joy campaign is in its final stages, but a late surge in donations will make countless children and families happy this Christmas. The campaign deadline of Dec. 24 comes so quickly. But donations received just before or on that date, or in the mail just after the deadline, count just as much and will go directly toward providing toys, games and books to children from Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties. Even a contribution mailed on the deadline day of Dec. 24 is applied to the cause. Now in its 102nd year, Toy for Joy has again been sponsored by the Salvation Army, which has been involved with the drive since the 1950s. The organization’s citadels in Springfield, Holyoke and Greenfield have been distributing gifts to deserving children. Promoting literacy among children has been a Toy for Joy mission for years. This year, Link to Libraries again supported the cause in a major way by providing 1,000 brand new, age-appropriate books to the Salvation Army. “These books are worth approximately $5,000 in all. Last year, we donated 600, so we were able to nearly double it this year,” said Amy Anderlonis, executive vice-president of the Hampden-based Link to Libraries nonprofit. “We think books are the best gift. To make it happen, we rely on the generosity of local businesses,” Anderlonis said. “For many children, their first book comes from us. Salvation Army was having some trouble getting age-appropriate books, but we think partnering with them helps all of us, and the children.” Anderlonis said Link to Libraries was formed in 2008 out of deep concern that so many children in school struggle because of reading challenges. The agency has donated over one million books, at an average of more than 50,000 per year, to encourage a lifelong love of reading by children. Armed with quality toys and books for the children, Toy for Joy is promoted and advertised by The Republican, Reminder Publishing, MassLive and El Pueblo Latino. All contributions will be recognized and published in The Republican and Reminder Publications, and online by MassLive.com.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – MGM Springfield is partnering with “Link to Libraries” to support literacy in Springfield Public Schools. The literacy organization works with companies to increase access to reading for children. Since the start of the program in 2008, Link to Libraries has distributed over one million new books to school and home libraries statewide. On Tuesday morning MGM Springfield and representatives from Link to Libraries hosted a holiday book reading party at the White Street School in Springfield, donating books to the children to bring home for the holiday break. “We are celebrating the season of giving,” explained Jennifer McGrath, Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement for MGM Springfield. “If this doesn’t grow your heart 3 times the size, I don’t know what will.” MGM Springfield also presented a check for $2,500 to Link to Libraries to support them in their efforts. View story on WWLP
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.
On Oct. 31, Blessed Buys Thrift Shoppe celebrated its continued success with quarterly donations of $1,125 each to two local nonprofit agencies, Link to Libraries and the Amelia Park Children’s Museum.
(Mass Appeal) – Schools across the region are back in session and it’s an exciting time for both kids and parents. But as parents and guardians of our littlest ones, it’s important that we make sure they read and are exposed to reading constantly so that they are not left behind for the rest of their lives. Laurie Flynn, President and CEO of Link to Libraries, is here to talk about the importance of reading and how to make it fun. View on Mass Appeal
Link to Libraries raised over $16,000 at its first ever Celebrity Bartender Fundraiser at the Student Prince & The Fort in Springfield on April 4th. Local celebrities, community leaders and over 150 supporters packed the restaurant’s bar in support of childhood literacy.
2 Wilbraham Rd, Hampden, MA 01036, United States of America
(413) 654-7241
