Make A Difference Day 2013

Lisa Horne, assistant shelter director of Family Shelter Service in Downers Grove, accepts 250 children's books from Betty Cronin, VP Philanthropy for Assistance League of Chicagoland West.

Family Shelter Service is a safe haven for victims of domestic abuse and their children, ages birth to 17. While reading materials are typically used to boost literacy, we learned that our donated books will have more of a nurturing effect, allowing moms and their kids to relax and bond in a calm, non-threatening environment.

"There is a lot of self-soothing going on," said Lisa Horne, assistant shelter director. "Because the books are available all the time, they get worn and don't last long. Now we have fresh new books when we need them."

Nationally, 92 Assistance League chapters participated in Make A Difference Day 2013, collecting and distributing a total of 102,267 books! That's an accomplishment we can all be proud to be a part of.