Scouts Book The Beach, Help Damaged Libraries

Three Long Valley residents are bookin' it to the beach as the summer approaches, but not to stroll the boardwalk or take a dip in the ocean.

Gabby Kontos, Robyn Sciancelepore and Valerie McDermott, all members of the Long Valley Girl Scout Troop 561, completed their Silver Award requirements by helping a community in need.

Each of the three Scouts spent more than 50 hours collecting nearly 4,000 children's books to replenish libraries in Monmouth County that were damaged by superstorm Sandy in October 2012.

Donation boxes were placed in local schools and libraries for new and gently used children's books, and solicited donations from New Jersey publishers as part of the group's "Book It To The Beach" project. The trio ran a Daisy and Brownie-themed workshop, as well as other fundraising events, which helped them buy new books.

When all donations were in, the books were sorted, counted and boxed for distribution.

On May 18, the troop made the trek to Monmouth County, delivering books to the main Monmouth County library system. They met with the Head of the Children's Department, Pat Findra, who will distribute the books to those branches most in need.

Information provided by Dawn McDermott.