Our flagship book drive. Running from early November to the week before Christmas, Stella & Joy’s annual book drive was the start and the heart of our organization. As a way to celebrate and honor our daughters, we spend the time leading up to and around their birthday (December 2nd) collecting books and funds. Everything collected and purchased is then donated to the Early Learning Resource Center (Region 17, in partnership with Montgomery County Health and Human Services Department.)

All throughout the year, ELRC 17 shares the donated books with children, families, and child care programs. ELRC 17 serves approximately 2300-2400 families who are in need of financial assistance in order to afford safe and reliable child care. When families visit their office seeking assistance, the children are encouraged to pick out a book or two to take with them. They also encourage their adult clients (parents and/or caretakers) to help themselves to a few books to create or enhance a family library. ELRC 17 also works closely with 412 early learning programs participating in Keystone STARS. They welcome these programs to request books to replenish and/or replace their classroom libraries. During the fall of 2024, the ELRC participated in a trunk or treat and offered some of our books. In December, small groups of books were packaged and given to families and childcare providers to use as gifts for underprivileged kids.

Since 2017, we have donated THOUSANDS of book to ELRC 17.

• 2017: 850

• 2018: 700 

• 2019: 1,900

• 2020: 700

• 2021: 1,700

• 2022: 1,700

• 2023: 2,200

• 2024: 1,500