An independent Bethany Beach bookstore has teamed up with a national non-profit group to send gently used books to U.S. troops serving overseas.
ROBERT CRAIG/ THE NEWS JOURNAL
Bethany Beach Books recently sent 500 pounds of donated books - 490 in all - to troops overseas, the store announced. Each book carries a hand-written note saying "Thank you for your service" or "Thinking of you" inside its cover, along with a bookmark from the store.
The books were collected in remarkably quick fashion: the store, which is independent of any chain, announced Jan. 2 that it would begin accepting "gently-used, like-new books" for men and women serving overseas.
Three weeks, 490 books donated.
The store launched the effort after talking with a customer whose son is a sailor aboard the carrier Harry S. Truman about how the books are "desperately needed."
The store, which has partnered with Operation Paperback - which collects books nationwide for troops overseas as well as veterans and military families stateside - says it's going to keep up the good work.
The owners ask that donors bring the store no more than 20 books at a time. They also ask that donors write a short, heartfelt note in each book before donating.
The store, located at 99 Garfield Parkway, is open daily from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
For more information on this project or how Bethany Beach Books can ship books to a friend or loved one who is serving, contact Amanda Zirn at amanda@bethanybeachbooks.com or 302-258-9992.
