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Kids On The Move - Alyssa Staats
08/22/2010 - By Tobi D. Tesoriero
SHARING HER LOVE
FOR THE WRITTEN WORDAt a very young age Alyssa Staats discovered her love of reading. She actually cannot remember a time that she was not drawn to the printed page. She remarked on the joy she receives from reading. Even as a very little girl books were a treat for her. In fact, at Christmas time her parents would give “book presents” to her last, as she would focus on them over and above all other gifts!
While most people’s first “all-nighters” are in college, Alyssa’s first one was when she was in the second grade. She became so enthralled with and captivated by the illustrated children’s fairy tale book she was reading that she simply could not put it down and read on through the night.
Alyssa has turned this love of the printed word into a mission. She has founded an organization called “World with Books” dedicated to increasing literacy in the world. As she told Living in Colts Neck, “I just adore reading. I want to give other people that kind of joy!” She continued, “I want others to receive from the same intellectual and emotional fulfillment that I get from reading.”
What exactly is this initiative? World with Books’ ultimate mission is to increase literacy in the world. Alyssa has started by collecting gently used children’s books. She gathers them from people in the community (both in Colts Neck and in her Ranney School community). Alyssa has established receiving stations for the book donations. There are bins at the Ranney School and she accepts donations at her home. Alyssa then sorts the donated books. She divides them into different categories to respond to tastes based on gender and/or age.
Next, Alyssa distributes the books to various locales and organizations. Some recipients have been the Parker Clinic, Matawan's YMCA Children's Achievement Branch, Jersey Shore Hospital In-Patient Pediatric Unit, Jersey Shore Hospital Out-Patient Pediatric Unit, Red Bank's YMCA, the Salvation Army in Asbury Park, the Salvation Army in Red Bank, and the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth County.
As a wide range of books are collected, from baby to young adult, Alyssa tries to customize her donation by delivering books to the various organizations that fit their populations. She always tries to honor requests.
An interesting initiative took place when Alyssa worked with Lunchbreak. Amy Peardon, who runs the soup kitchen, was aware of families with children using their services. So she and Alyssa added age and gender appropriate books to the meal delivery. Although the World with Books organization has been in existence for only just over a year now (it was founded in June, 2009), it has collected and distributed approximately 2,500 books!
In the future, Alyssa would like to see the organization expand. She is hoping this type of initiative will spread to neighboring communities so more children can benefit from the service and increase the sharing of reading materials. She also hopes that her particular organization goes on. She shared that her 12-year old sister Rachel is already helping out.
The family involvement does not stop there. Alyssa gives kudos to her mom for driving her about as Alyssa just turned 17 and previously did not drive. She also stated she appreciates the involvement of everyone who has donated. She feels a particular connection and gratitude to those who regularly donate. She mentioned the Pearl family who have been enormously helpful in collecting donations and have donated hundreds of books to the organization.
Along with her love of reading, Alyssa, who is a rising senior, is a serious student. She spent part of her summer at an intense Spanish immersion class and has studied French for 11 years! She plans to study internal relations in college then go on to Law school. Ultimately Alyssa’s career goal is to be involved with international policy. And, if all that were not enough Alyssa is on the Varsity Swim team and runs spring track.
STATS
FAVORITE RESTAURANT
Restaurante Cinquante in the Eiffel Tower, Paris
FAVORITE MUSIC
Salsa music of Central America
FAVORITE MOVIES
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Rainman”
PET PEEVE
When I am trying to study and everything is loud around me
THREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH
Edna Adan (Somali humanitarian particularly involved in woman’s issues), Gandhi (for how he employed peaceful methods for change), Otto von Bismarck (deep understanding of politics and how to manipulate, great intelligence)
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