The Messy Artist hosts 2nd Annual Children's Book Drive

Clean out your bookshelves for a great cause! The Messy Artist of East Hanover is hosting their Second Annual Children’s Book Drive throughout the month of October. From October 1st through 31st they are accepting new and gently used children’s books in their art studio for kids in the Castle Ridge Shopping Plaza. By partnering with Bridges of Books Foundation, The Messy Artist will be able to help New Jersey children in need have the opportunity to enjoy new reading materials.

“Last year’s children book drive was a great success,” said Donna Bernstein, CEO of The Messy Artist. “We use children’s books in many of our classes here at The Messy Artist and appreciate their magic in entertaining and educating children. In fact, our “Storybook Art” class is focused on children’s books and their art, and each of our classes for our youngest artists ends with a story time session. We are thrilled to once again be able to help pass along the enjoyment of books to others.”

Anyone is welcome to come in and drop off books. Last year, students, staff and the general public generously donated over 400 children’s books. Messy Artist students volunteered their time to sort the books before they were delivered to Bridge of Books.

Books should be new or gently used and geared toward children age 0 -18 (the only exception is parenting books). If the book makes a sound or has pop-ups, they all should work, and if the book has pieces, please make sure all are included. Finally, no magazines, textbooks, encyclopedias, coloring books or workbooks will be accepted.

The Messy Artist is located at 356 Route 10 West in East Hanover, in the Castle Ridge Shopping Center with Best Buy and Michael’s. They are a few doors down from Cups and Smashburger. For more information, please call 973 378 2425 or visit their website, TheMessyArtist.com.