38 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • AUGUST 2020
THE BOOK FAIRIES
VIRTUAL READ-A-THON DEBUTS
BY TAYLOR HERZLICH
The Book Fairies, a Freeport-based
nonprofit that donates reading materials
for those in need, is hosting a virtual
Read-a-Thon in August to engage
kids after the coronavirus pandemic
interrupted their education.
The organization normally hosts its
many events in person, but had to
adjust its programming to align with
social-distancing mandates designed
to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“We have had to alter almost every
aspect of how we work,” explained
Eileen Minogue, executive director
of The Book Fairies.
Founded in 2012, the nonprofit celebrated
its 2 millionth book donation
in September and broke the Guinness
World Record for the longest line of
books in November.
The idea for a Read-a-Thon came about
as a way of compensating for the cancellation
of an in-person scavenger
hunt that was planned pre-COVID-19.
The virtual Read-a-Thon challenges
participants to read for 30 minutes
for 30 days. Individuals of
any age can participate in this
month-long reading event and
launch their own campaign.
The fundraiser is especially
important during this challenging
time, when plenty
of the organization’s usual
fundraising streams have
dried up and limits have had
to be placed on volunteers.
Amy Zaslansky founded The Book Fairies.
“The work we used to do in a day
now gets done in a week or more,” said
Minogue.
The Book Fairies used to receive a
majority of their book donations from
school drives, but have now had to ask
individuals to host book drives from
their homes. Their warehouse, which
usually accommodates up to 30 volunteers,
is now down to six to maintain
social distancing.
But the advocates are still pushing forward,
and its determination is shown
in the work that has been put into the
Read-a-Thon, which will host activities
like Wacky Word Wednesday and
Trivia Night, and will feature some
celebrity book readings. Sponsors
will receive benefits such as social
media promotions and being
featured on T-shirts.
“It’s all about leveling the playing
field and making sure that
children in low-income areas
have… access to the tools they
need for success,” said Minogue.
“And it’s so simple because
it starts with the books.”
The Book Fairies remain true
to their mission to break the cycle
of illiteracy. To participate in
their fundraiser, visit classy.org/
campaign/2020-read-a-thon/c290810
HIGHER-ED WEBINAR
COLLEGE KNOWLEDGE 2020
BY ALEC RICH
The coronavirus pandemic is teaching
college students a lesson in disruption,
but four Long Island experts in navigating
the college admissions process
will lead a crash course in preparation
during an upcoming free webinar.
The webinar, titled College Knowledge
2020, will feature private college advisor
Andy Lockwood, test preparation
and academic expert Tom Ehlers, clinical
social worker Catharina Kleuskens,
and college counselor, advisor, and
educational consultant Patty Ziplow.
Lockwood is a best-selling author and
founder of Lockwood College Prep,
based in Glenwood Landing on the
North Shore, where he has worked
with clients from across the country
and around the world. A member of
the National Collegiate Advocacy
Group and the National Association
for College Admission Counseling,
Lockwood is also a graduate of
Wesleyan University and St. John’s
Law School. In addition to his work as a
college advisor, Lockwood specializes
in financial aid.
Ehlers is the president and founder of
Method Test Prep, which has offices in
both Plainview and Mineola. A graduate
of Princeton University, more than
1,500 schools worldwide currently use
Ehlers’ online ACT and SAT program.
Ehlers has also worked as an educational
consultant with various school
districts across the country that are
looking to improve their college admission
test scores.
Kleuskens has worked in the clinical
social work field for over 20 years and
is currently based in Merrick, where
she specializes in childhood anxiety
and works with families through adolescence
and teens. She is also a graduate
of the University of Sittard in the
Netherlands and is currently pursuing
a doctorate from Adelphi University.
Ziplow is co-founder of a2z Admissions
Consulting Group and is a member of
the Independent Educational Consultants
Association. Having served as a
director of admissions and in other top
administrative roles over the last two
decades, Ziplow earned her educational
consulting certificate from the University
of California-Irvine.
The webinar, hosted by Schneps Media,
the parent company of the Long Island
Press, is scheduled for 3 p.m. on August
12 via Zoom. To register, visit schnepsmedia.
com/webinars
L. to R.: Andy Lockwood, Tom Ehlers, Catharina Kleuskens, and Patty Ziplow.
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