On Halloween morning, members of the Parole Rotary Club waved in people who arrived at the Books for International Goodwill (BIG) warehouse in Annapolis to:

• Have sensitive documents shredded
• Donate books to BIG
• Donate sweaters and other winter clothing
• Donate diapers

Wonder Woman (Parole Rotary President Kristi Niedhardt, a former Annapolis Green Board member and Chair) and other light-hearted Rotarians in costume added to the fun. It was a heartwarming demonstration of the community coming together for a good cause – actually, for several good causes.

Not only did many people safely dispose of old tax records and other documents, they also did good deeds with their donations. Here are the results:

• Shredded and recycled 5,500 lbs. of paper, saving 47 mature trees, 19,250 gallons of water, eight cubic yards of landfill space and 1,273 gallons of oil
• Collected over 1,000 donated diapers for low-income parents of infants
• Collected five pallets of books for BIG to send to developing countries
• Collected two overstuffed pickup truck beds worth of sweaters/articles of winter clothing for our community’s most vulnerable people
• Raised $680 for the Parole Rotary Foundation

And like me… many people left having bought more books than they donated. Talk about a win-win!

It Takes a Village…

The paper was shredded and recycled for free by Shred Instead thanks to CNR Insurance, Kristi Neidhardt Team and the Hatchel family.

Donated diapers are going to Tyler Heights Elementary School for distribution to families. Donated sweaters, hoodies and coats will go to #justonesweater and will be distributed directly to the community through Heritage Baptist Church, Eastport United Methodist Church, Asbury United Methodist Church, Feed Anne Arundel, and to residents at The Light House.

About the Parole Rotary

Now in its 35^th year of Service Above Self throughout Anne Arundel County and the world, the club is comprised of over 60 members who are business owners, managers, or professionals, active and retired, and enthusiastically share and demonstrate the Rotary philosophy. The organization supports programs for youth including educational opportunities and international exchanges and provides support for professionals including vocational and career development. Its range of causes is broad, providing hands-on volunteer opportunities for members to make a direct impact on the local and international community. Read more.

About Books for International Goodwill

BIG was created by the Parole Rotary Club. The organization provides services for recycling books discarded by current owners and puts them in the hands of new users. To date, BIG has sent 8.7 million books to over 30 countries around the world. Its next shipments are destined for Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya and Mongolia, countries where books – for students and adults – are scarce. There is a great need for non-fiction and children’s books, but any gently used book is accepted at the 24/7 shed at the warehouse, 451 Defense Highway. The next public book sale will be held on December 12, from 8am to 2pm. Face masks and safe distancing required. Read more.

Particularly in these difficult times, it lifts the spirit to see good works that will touch so many people right here in our community and in far-away lands too.