Help Children In Need By Donating Books In Stamford

STAMFORD, CT — Books have the power to spark imagination, curiosity and inspiration, and one nonprofit organization and local author are doing their part to bring those feelings to children in need around the globe.

Hindi's Libraries, a Long Island-based international nonprofit organization that collects and donates children's books to those in need, has opened up a donation drop box in Stamford at 1086 Long Ridge Road at Coldwell Banker Realty.

Residents can stop by any time and drop-off new to slightly-used children's books, ranging from zero even up to middle school/high school age. If the drop box outside is full, donations can be made inside Coldwell Banker.

This is Hindi's Libraries first drop box in Connecticut.

"We collect children's books, primarily from the tri-state area, but sometimes they get shipped in by donors. We donate them all over the world at no cost. We pay for all of the shipping," said the organization's co-founder, Leslie Gang. Books get donated across all 50 states, and to Israel, India, Puerto Rico, Haiti and Africa.

"We partner with recipients who are serving children and families in need; homeless shelters, foster care agencies, pediatric clinics in low income communities — anyone that's supporting children and families that are struggling."

Pina Basone, a Stamford resident, real estate agent at Coldwell Banker, and children's book author, reached out to Hindi's Libraries on social media recently looking to donate some of her books.

One thing led to another, and Basone and Gang coordinated the opening of a drop box location in Stamford. Hindi's Libraries has main drop-off locations on Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, New Jersey and upstate New York.

"I am so excited to have the first location in Connecticut. I'm sure there will be many more. I'm thrilled and I love the cause," Basone said.

"The book has to be something.a child will feel proud to own, and will enjoy reading at bedtime," Gang added on criteria for donations. "These are children who probably don't have many, if any, other books at home for whatever reason. If you're giving them a book that's ripped or damaged, they already feel that way anyway everyday."

Hindi's Libraries was formed in 2019 following the passing of Dr. Hindi Krinsky, a 32-year-old Long Island teacher and mother of five who died from complications from Crohn's Disease.

Gang taught with Krinsky, and befriended her family. To honor Krinsky's legacy, her family and friends decided to build three freestanding libraries in her children's school, with the goal of having students donate one book.

Within a few weeks, over 500 books were collected.

"That somehow organically transformed into what is now an international nonprofit. Since inception, we've collected almost 300,000 children's books to donate," Gang said. Krinsky's husband, David, is the other co-founder.

Gang said it feels "powerful and empowering" to help so many children. Basone highlighted the impact a book can have on a child.

"It helps them think about the story and how it affects their life. It shapes a child. My stories all have a subtle message of kindness, being good, giving back," Basone said. "Each book has a meaningful, impactful message that children can embrace and open up their mind to what other people are going through, and how it could also impact their life."

For more on Basone and her publishing company, Pina Bird Books, click here.

To learn more about Hindi's Libraries, go to their website.