Eat and Give Back This Sunday at Carney's

Get a bite to eat and give back this Sunday, June 5, at in Studio City from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 4GOOD is partnering with BookEnds for their Second Annual Book Drive (and craft event). Donate one book and receive a free large drink with the purchase of sandwich and fries. Carney’s will also donate 15 percent of their profits for the day.

The two non-profit organizations are working together to help restock the library at  New Academy School located in Canoga Park. BookEnds, which recycles children's books through student-run book drives and places them in schools and youth organizations in need of books, initially helped the school build a library from the ground up a few years ago.  They are specifically looking for science-related children's books about animals, oceans, nature, space, etc., but will also accept adult and other children's books and will place them appropriately.

At the Carney's event, those who donate on Sunday will also create two gifts for the students of New Academy—handmade bookmarks and a big canvas decorated with little self portraits and signatures.

The Athanas family of Sherman Oaks (parents Peter and Erika, children Izak, 12, and Ilan, 6) , one of the two families that founded 4GOOD, was selected by Scholastic’s Parent & Child® Magazine editors as the Family of the Year from a nationwide contest to identify families who are making a difference in their neighborhoods, schools, or communities. 4GOOD is based on one simple principle of inspiring families with children of all ages to actively participate in volunteer activities. 

“We started 4GOOD as a way to teach our children to be compassionate citizens. We have a lot of fun as a family when we volunteer together with other 4GOOD families. But I think what matters to me most is when kids says that it makes them feel good to help other people,” explained Erika.

The Athanas family is featured on the cover of the June/July 2011 issue, on stands now. They also appear in a “got milk? ®” print advertisement inside the issue. The Athanas family’s ad appears alongside that of actors Felicity Huffman and William Macy who are the Celebrity Family of the Year.  Huffman and Macy wrote  a foreword in the Family4Good book published by Scholastic in honor of the Athanas family.

The Athanas family launched 4GOOD on Facebook in the summer of 2009 after they sought unsuccessfully to find volunteer opportunities that included children of all ages. They came up with the idea of 4GOOD with another local family—the Goldmans—who were facing similar challenges in finding organizations that encouraged children to volunteer with their families. 

Other families quickly joined the 4GOOD network, which currently has more than 2000 volunteers, most of whom live in the San Fernando Valley. Among the recent 4GOOD-led family volunteer opportunities are: SOVA Food Pantry, Friends and Helpers holiday gift drive, and a charitable music concert to benefit Education Through Music.

“It starts with an idea and motivation. Helping is easy, fun, rewarding, and the ultimate lesson you can teach your kids,” said  Erika.

For further information: 4GOOD and BookEnds.