Books Given Away During Jamestown’s Memorial Day Parade

​Jamestown, N.Y.  – “The children always light up when invited to choose books for themselves, and we are delighted to say that many, many books have new homes!” 

That’s how event organizer Linda Hiers described the experience she shared with others from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ). During this year’s Memorial Day Parade, she along with John Anderson, Susan Kalfas, Heather Klassen and David Park Musella gave away upwards of 200 books to adults as well as kids.

This Memorial Day tradition began a few years ago when the parade route went by the UUCJ’s building at 1255 Prendergast Avenue, near Lakeview Cemetery, the parade’s destination. With the route this year and last being on Lakeview Avenue, Christ First Methodist Church has welcomed their neighbor to use their front yard. Adults and children who watched or participated in the parade could stop by, choose a book to take home, and have a snack.

Inspired by research showing that growing up with more books in their home increases a child’s lifetime success, the UUCJ Social Justice Committee makes books available to children and adults in the community by giving them away for free. 

While the congregation has a budget for books, one family has taken it upon themselves to provide them. Members happily make donations for Judy Koch’s beautiful hand-crafted greeting cards. Assisted by her husband, Carl, and son, Will, Koch uses those donations to make purchases at Jamestown’s Prendergast Library’s quarterly special book sales.

The church has “adopted” Fletcher Elementary School’s kindergarten classes, providing each student with books four times during the school year. On Halloween, children are welcomed into the church’s building by costumed parishioners for a Halloween Read and Treat where they can choose a book, receive a treat, and do some simple crafts. 

The two book boxes in front of 1255 Prendergast Avenue are filled with books: one box for adults and one for children. Anyone is welcome to take those of their choosing any time.

---