Local Business Owner Collecting Books for Troops

A local business owner is helping members of the military - one book at a time.

Bob Giest, of Rapid Refill Ink at 10416 N. Dale Mabry Highway, is helping collect slightly used paperback books as part of the Cartridges for a Cause effort.

Patch talked to Giest about how his company got involved and where the community can drop off books.

Patch: What is Cartridges for a Cause?

Giest: It is a program where Rapid Refill partners with non-profit groups to support a specific cause. With this particular organization, Operation Paperback, we are supporting our active duty overseas military by sending them slightly used books.

Patch: How did you get involved with the organization?

Giest: As we thought about how we wanted to honor America's veterans, we realized that it was more than the people that once served, but it was important to recognize those that were continuing to serve our country today. So, in honor of both Veteran's Day on November 11 and America Recycle's Day November 15, we found an organization that we felt could support by making gifts of reuse and recycling to our active duty troops overseas.

Patch: How many books has the book drive donated to the troops?

Giest: At our Carrollwood store, we have so far collected over 500 books. This program is going on at Rapid Refill stores, which there are about 100, nationwide.

Patch: How did you choose which branch of the military to send the books to? Are there specific requests for certain types of books?

Giest: We submit the genres of books we have collected to Operation Paperback, who has a database of military personnel who have requested certain type books. Operation Paperback then sends us the name and location of a specific service person. We then box the appropriate genre(s) of books for that individual and ship it to them directly overseas.

Patch: How can people in Carrollwood and Northdale get involved if they want to donate books or volunteer? What's the deadline for donating books?

Giest: Customers or non-customers can bring slightly used books directly to our store by November 15. They will also receive an in-store coupon for future purchases. In addition, as part of this program we are collecting used ink and toner cartridges to support our recycling and reuse efforts.

For more information about the book drive, call Giest at 813-514-0680.