Mastic Beach, NY - February 29th, 2016 - For Colin Smith, a second-grade student at Tangier Smith Elementary School, reading books isn’t just something that you do in school or for fun; it’s a way to help members of his community who may be less fortunate.
With the help of his mother, teacher and principal, he organized two book drives held in December and January and collected more than 700 books for two local shelters, Nana’s House in Mastic and Brighter Tomorrows in Shirley.
Colin’s mother, Sharon Smith, a teacher at William Floyd Middle School, recalls how one evening when he was choosing a book to read at home, he realized that not every kid has his or her own library and the opportunity to have a choice of books.
Colin then came up with the idea of a book drive and enlisted the help of his teacher, Mrs. Michele Dhyne, in composing a letter to his classmates requesting that they donate one or two books for the local shelter. The book drive caught on and he even started receiving book donations from his neighbors and members of his Cub Scout pack.
“Colin is a remarkable young man who is always trying to think of ways that he could help others in our community,” said Mrs. Smith.
After the success of the first book drive, Colin asked Principal Toni Komorowski if he could send a letter home with all the students in school in an effort to expand the drive and collect more books.
“We are so proud of Colin and his thoughtfulness for other children,” said Mrs. Komorowski. “He’s a role model for all students here at Tangier Smith Elementary School. He demonstrates the qualities of a true leader; someone who thinks of others first, comes up with an idea and then puts that idea into motion.”