
Members of the Long Island chapter of The Giving Doll recently visited Cherokee Street Elementary School in the Connetquot Central School District, donating 650 handmade bookmarks to students to promote a love of reading. While The Giving Doll is best known for spreading joy, hope and comfort to children worldwide through handmade cloth dolls, the organization shifted its focus for this initiative to encourage literacy among elementary students.
Volunteer James Werner, a 1995 graduate of Cherokee Street Elementary, participated in the visit alongside his mother, Janet Werner, also a volunteer with the organization. They were joined by volunteer Diane Kerley and Program Director Maureen Ennis for the special donation.
In total, The Giving Doll will be donating more than 2,000 handmade bookmarks to elementary students across the Connetquot Central School District, supporting both literacy and community connection.