Community Service Tour: Tony Yayo & The BBF

This week we welcome Tony Yayo as our reporter and guest for our 2008 "Community Service Tour" in New York City. Here is Tony Yayo's perspective on working with The Book Bank Foundation:

"I would like to thank Glenn Toby and The Book Bank Foundation for allowing me to join their Book Bank Foundation Community Service Tour.

I was granted the right to join them because of my prior hard work and sincere commitment to people in need. I was ordered to perform community service for a case I had in NYC. We chose this organization because they are visible and active in our community.

My ten (10) ten day tour allowed me to help people by doing physical labor and inspiring them to stay on the right path. I brought the people we served clothing, pizza, and candy and I bought some dvd players.

Any rapper or citizen can join The Book Bank Foundation and contribute to society. I have been doing this for (4) four years now. Glenn Toby is not biased. The whole hip hop community needs to step up and do more for the people of New York that are in need.

I visited churches, schools, homeless shelters and joined The BBF with there fight against homelessness in Jamaica Queens."

Tony Yayo

We thank Tony Yayo for sharing his perspective on the importance of the work that The Book Bank Foundation is doing in New York City.

The Book Bank Foundation is active all over the country! In recent weeks, some wonderful authors have donated books. We want to send a big thanks out to Candace Sandy and Dawn Marie Daniels for the autographed copies of Souls Revealed that they donated to us.

The BBF is looking for individuals or companies to sponsor storage units where we can house the generous donations we receive from our volunteers and donors. If you are interested in sponsoring a storage facility, please drop us an email at info@thebbf.org .

The BBF could use your donations of gently used spring and summer clothes. We also welcome your donations of toys, books (both new and used), toiletries, blankets and non-perishable food items. Please contact us if you have any of these items ready for donation and we will arrange to pick them up!

In humble service,

Trish Omoqui

Executive Compliance Officer

www.thebbf.org

The Humble, Loving Heart of Our Volunteers

It is an honor this week to feature one of the volunteers of The Book Bank Foundation, Mr. Marvin Brown. In addition to being a volunteer, Marvin is also the Program / Community Relations Director for The Book Bank Foundation.

I first met Marvin last July at a basketball tournament in New York City. What struck me as I talked with him was how gentle and kind his spirit is. He has a quiet demeanor but the words that come from his heart are powerful. It is my pleasure to share with you this week his perspective on working with The Book Bank Foundation:

"I've been a loyal member of THE BBF for quite a few years now. I'm proud to say that I'm more excited now about being involved than ever.

It brings great joy to realize the impact we (THE BBF FAMILY) have on so many lives. Even after countless hours of commitment it seems like I get more and more energized with the service we provide.

In January of 2007 I had the great pleasure of being involved in the HOMELESS OUTREACH POPULATION ESTIMATE where we walked the streets of New York City to get a count of the individuals who live on the street.

I have to say that one of the greatest moments for me had to be when a gentleman approached me and said, "HEY YOU'RE THE GUY THAT GAVE ME THE COAT THAT I'M WEARING RIGHT NOW." After the gentleman and I finished conversing he offered to help as a volunteer with the homeless outreach population estimate.

The reason I got involved with THE BBF was to fulfill my obligation as a servant and exercise my abilities to help in the healing process with the homeless and less fortunate. I think as human beings it's our responsibility to help, give back, pay your debt to society or however you would like to phrase it.

Another major reason why I am proud to be a part of this organization is because of how much THE BBF promotes literacy in children as well as adults. The more we read, the more educated we become. The more educated we are, the more information we will be able to share. The more informed we are, the more impact we will have on the less fortunate."

If you have a heart like Marvin Brown, we invite you to become a volunteer for The Book Bank Foundation. At The Book Bank Foundation we believe in the power of joining together people who share in a passion to help others so that we can spread change in communities across the United States.

In other news, The Book Bank Foundation sends a big thanks out to author Terri Levine for donating a case of her widely read book "Work Yourself Happy" to those in the shelters.

We also celebrate the amazing hearts of the people in the Philadelphia area. We received an outpouring of clothes, blankets, hats, gloves and books from our focused request for donations in February of items that warm the homeless. I especially send thanks to the employees of Corporate Call Center in Blue Bell, PA, for the bags of donations I picked up this week. We truly appreciate the generosity of those who are willing to share with the homeless.

Next week kicks off The Book Bank Foundation 1st Annual Community Service Tour, featuring Queens, New York rapper Tony Yayo. Yayo will join Book Bank founder Glenn Toby from March 10 - 15th in New York city promoting literacy while visiting various schools and homeless shelters. We are excited about the positive impact that will come about from this tour!

Have a blessed week.
Please contact us if you have an interest in volunteering! We can use your heart, energy and hands to bring about positive change!

Sincerely,
Trish Omoqui
Executive Compliance Officer

http://www.thebbf.org/