Springfield school students gifted books as part of literacy program
December 17, 2024
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.
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Western Mass News visits Link to Libraries and helps label hundreds of books for children in need.
SPRINGFIELD, MA – On Thursday, April 9th, Link to Libraries hosted its second Celebrity Bartending event at The Student Prince and Fort in Springfield, raising a record breaking $29,000.00 in support of their mission to increase underserved children’s access to books at school and at home. These funds will enable Link to Libraries to purchase more than 7,000 new books for children and schools in need across Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut. “We were absolutely blown away by how the Western Massachusetts community showed up in support of children in need at this event. It was a packed house from start to finish,” said Laurie Flynn, President & Chief Executive Officer of Link to Libraries. “We are so incredibly grateful to our amazing team of bartenders who raised record funds and brought in over 200 independent donors. It was wonderful to be able to come together as a community and to celebrate this important work. It takes a village, and our village showed up in spades!” In addition to tips for the bartenders, Link to Libraries also raised funds through the sale tickets of raffle items generously donated by MGM Springfield, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Max Restaurant Group, Callaway Golf, and The Student Prince and Fort. Michelle Abdow and Sue Spiry from Market Mentors along with Janine and Jay Queenin of Specialty Bolt and Screw raised close to $13,000. The race was too close to call, so on behalf of each of the winning teams, Link to Libraries will donate 100 new books to both Springfield’s Hiram Dorman and Mary Pottenger elementary schools. Both Market Mentors and Specialty Bolt & Screw generously sponsor those schools through Link to Libraries’ Community Book Link Sponsorship Program. Other bartenders included: Crystal Neuhauser (UMass Amherst Foundation); Jennifer McGrath (MGM Springfield); Nikki Burnett and Amy Stec (Educare Springfield); Ryan McCollum (RMC Strategies); Kristin Fitzpatrick (William Raveis Realty); Juan LaTorre III (Verizon); Kathy Martin (Glenmeadow); Andrea Hicks-Martin (Elms College); and Michelle and Ben Sullivan (Balise Auto Group). Tim Cullinan of The New System provided music for the event, and Chris Marion of Chris Marion Photography captured the evening in photos. Both generously donated their time and services. 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 70 schools in need throughout Western Massachusetts, Northern Connecticut and Boston.
"Link to Libraries" coming to Boston after donating over 1 million books to kids in need Laurie Flynn of Link to Libraries talks about the organization's efforts to get books into the hands of children. View WBZ News CBS Boston story below.
Western Mass News visits Link to Libraries and helps label hundreds of books for children in need.
SPRINGFIELD, MA – On Thursday, April 9th, Link to Libraries hosted its second Celebrity Bartending event at The Student Prince and Fort in Springfield, raising a record breaking $29,000.00 in support of their mission to increase underserved children’s access to books at school and at home. These funds will enable Link to Libraries to purchase more than 7,000 new books for children and schools in need across Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut. “We were absolutely blown away by how the Western Massachusetts community showed up in support of children in need at this event. It was a packed house from start to finish,” said Laurie Flynn, President & Chief Executive Officer of Link to Libraries. “We are so incredibly grateful to our amazing team of bartenders who raised record funds and brought in over 200 independent donors. It was wonderful to be able to come together as a community and to celebrate this important work. It takes a village, and our village showed up in spades!” In addition to tips for the bartenders, Link to Libraries also raised funds through the sale tickets of raffle items generously donated by MGM Springfield, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Max Restaurant Group, Callaway Golf, and The Student Prince and Fort. Michelle Abdow and Sue Spiry from Market Mentors along with Janine and Jay Queenin of Specialty Bolt and Screw raised close to $13,000. The race was too close to call, so on behalf of each of the winning teams, Link to Libraries will donate 100 new books to both Springfield’s Hiram Dorman and Mary Pottenger elementary schools. Both Market Mentors and Specialty Bolt & Screw generously sponsor those schools through Link to Libraries’ Community Book Link Sponsorship Program. Other bartenders included: Crystal Neuhauser (UMass Amherst Foundation); Jennifer McGrath (MGM Springfield); Nikki Burnett and Amy Stec (Educare Springfield); Ryan McCollum (RMC Strategies); Kristin Fitzpatrick (William Raveis Realty); Juan LaTorre III (Verizon); Kathy Martin (Glenmeadow); Andrea Hicks-Martin (Elms College); and Michelle and Ben Sullivan (Balise Auto Group). Tim Cullinan of The New System provided music for the event, and Chris Marion of Chris Marion Photography captured the evening in photos. Both generously donated their time and services. 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 70 schools in need throughout Western Massachusetts, Northern Connecticut and Boston.
"Link to Libraries" coming to Boston after donating over 1 million books to kids in need Laurie Flynn of Link to Libraries talks about the organization's efforts to get books into the hands of children. View WBZ News CBS Boston story below.
Link to Libraries CEO and President Laurie Flynn was honored to sit down with Patrick Berry of 22News for an in-depth interview about Link to Libraries and its impact in the community.
We asked our expert Laurie Flynn, President and CEO of Link to Libraries, to help us come up with some creative ways to make reading fun!
Link to Libraries, a non-profit organization that provides millions of books to children received a generous donation from Balise Toyota in West Springfield.
