Girls Scouts collect books for international students

Hundreds of newly arrived families from all parts of the world are living in the Western New York community.

In addition to dealing with the turmoil in their lives, uprooted from a familiar place by war, famine or political oppression, the families have to deal with fear and anxiety of their small children arriving in a new place unlike anything they have ever known, and unable to speak the language.

Schools are trying to teach English to the new pupils so they can understand their lessons and become part of their new community.

Buffalo Public School 45 has classmates from countries in Africa, Asia, Central and South America and Europe.

Understanding the needs of the school and its students, Girl Scout Troop 593 started a book drive to help collect new and gently used children's books that will be distributed to individual students and placed in the school library to help the young children learn English.

"The project started as a relatively small project for the girls to earn their Junior Girl Scouts Bronze Award. It turned into a heartfelt desire for the girls to 'adopt' the school and do anything they possibly can to help the students," Troop Leader Tracy Shapiro said.

The Girl Scouts, from Williamsville and East Amherst, have placed collection bins at both the Amherst Museum, 3755 Tonawanda Creek Road, and Amherst Public Library at Audubon, 350 John James Audubon Parkway.

After the book drive ends, the Girl Scouts will visit the school, coordinated by school librarian Isabella Keegan, to deliver the books and read to some of the children.

"For these children, getting their own book is a very special thing," Keegan said.

The book drive will run until Nov. 24.