The main lobby of Wantagh High School was close to resembling a library, the result of a successful book drive by the National English Honor Society. The monthlong collection led to the donation of hundreds of books, which will be given to the Book Fairies. 

The Long Island-based organization collects and redistributes books to under-resourced communities throughout Long Island, New York City and across the world. The honor society’s third annual collection drive for Book Fairies ran from Dec. 8 to Jan. 8.

On the last day, officers gathered up all of the donations from the lobby and brought them to adviser Alisa Lopera’s room to be organized and boxed. The charitable initiative was spearheaded by seniors Lea Vagnone, the honor society’s vice president, and Sophia Zanelotti, social media manager.

To promote the drive, the honor society made posters to hang around the school, had a message placed on the morning announcements and got the word out on social media. Wantagh High School students or staff could donate new or gently used books for all ages, with a majority of donations being children’s books.

“It was a huge success,” Lea said. “I’m very proud of how many books we’ve collected for the drive. It’s going to help a lot of people, especially young kids, who are going to now have more access to books.”