By: Lisa Swabsin, Bridge of Books Board Member
Children at the Keansburg Early Learning Center (KELC)—home to the community’s three‑ and four‑year‑old pre‑K learners—took a break from their daily routine to celebrate Read Across America with members of the Bridge of Books Foundation and volunteers from Amazon. Read Across America is an annual program that encourages children in every community to celebrate the joy of reading.
Volunteers filled classrooms with excitement as they led animated story time sessions for more than 150 students, keeping the joy of reading alive throughout the day. The Bridge of Books Foundation, a nonprofit based in Atlantic Highlands that promotes literacy and a love of reading among children in low‑income communities across New Jersey, donated several boxes of books to KELC ensuring every child was able to choose two books to take home. Remaining titles were added to the school’s sharing library where students exchange used books for new ones.
KELC Principal Anne Hazeldine and Preschool Instructional Coach Diane Gonzales organized the visit and worked with Bridge of Books volunteers to distribute books to each classroom. “We truly cherish our partnership with the Bridge of Books. Their generosity fills our classrooms with high‑quality books and gives our children stories that inspire them,” Hazeldine said.
“Every child should have access to books—they open doors to imagination and opportunity,” said Abby Daly, Founder and Executive Director of the Bridge of Books Foundation. “Joining forces with KELC and Amazon to celebrate Read Across America shows what we can accomplish together as it helps us put more books—and more possibilities—into the hands of children.”
Bridge of Books reached more than 5,500 students during Read Across America, donating over 9,700 books to 16 partner organizations across nine New Jersey counties. Thanks to our generous community partners and dedicated volunteers, the organization donated 83,485 books in 2025—giving thousands of kids and teens stories to call their own, many for the very first time. Bridge of Books remains committed to expanding its impact and ensuring all children have access to books.
