Cheryl Makin

@CherylMakin

BRIDGEWATER – Kids love to read, but for some, books are a luxury and not readily available.

Barnes & Noble, Bridgewater invites customers to give the gift of reading to children in need during the annual Holiday Book Drive, which runs from now through Jan. 1, 2017. Customers can donate books to locally designated non-profit organizations. The store's effort kicks off with a special event on Saturday, Nov. 12.

Last year, Barnes & Noble customers and booksellers provided more than 1.5 million books to more than 650 local charitable organizations that provide services to children across the country.

Holiday Book Drive recipients throughout the country include schools, libraries, literacy organizations, family social service agencies and homeless centers. This year, the Bridgewater Barnes & Noble is teaming up with the 501st Legion to collect books for three local children's organizations — Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, East Mountain School and East Mountain Youth Lodge of Carrier Clinic in Belle Mead, and Sweet Reads of Neshanic Station.

“The Holiday Book Drive is a favorite program of both booksellers and customers across the country,” said Sarah DiFrancesco, vice president, business development for Barnes & Noble. “Customers often purchase and donate a personal childhood favorite as a way to pass on a holiday tradition to a child in their local community.”

Sweet Reads is a new nonprofit celebrating its inagural year, founder Tamiko Hubbard said. Dedicated to instilling an early love of reading, the organization has already worked with local groups such as Franklin House, Franklin Food Bank and Safe and Sound. Sweet Reads also is hosting a book fair on Nov. 18 at Barnes and Noble, Bridgewater. The theme of that exciting night is based on the J.K. Rowling book "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" as the movie is coming out this month, Hubbard said.

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The 501st Legion is an international Star Wars organization dedicated to the construction and wearing of screen-accurate replicas of villians costumes, such as Imperial Stormtrooper armor. While it is the mission of the 501st Legion to create an interest in Star Wars and amazing costume replicas, the organization also has a special mission to give to their local communities through fund raising, charity work and volunteerism, according to a news release.

“I have dreamed for a long time of having members of the 501st Legion at our store," said Nicolle Oppenheimer, community business development manager. "When I did some investigating I noticed this group does quite a bit of work giving back to organizations supporting and servicing children who are chronically ill, have developmental disorders and other special needs. That’s when I got the idea to host this book drive and include schools that fit this special category.”

The 501st Legion will be visiting the store from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. Customers can meet the characters in Star Wars-themed costumes, come dressed as their favorite character, and have fun with crafts and other activities.

Karen Bao, author of the "Dove Chronicles", also will be in attendance. Bao will host a brief discussion of her sci-fi series at 11 a.m. followed by a question-and-answer session, and signing.

In addition to the books collected for the book drive, a portion of the purchases made in the name of participating schools — East Mountain School and Youth Lodge at Carrier Clinic and Matheny School — will receive a portion of those sales.

The East Mountain School is a fully accredited special needs school ranging from grades 7 to 12 for children facing behavioral and psychiatric disorders. The East Mountain Youth Lodge is a teen residential program where approximately 90 adolescents live on the Carrier Clinic campus for up to 18 months. Donna Zaleski, director of Fund Development, said many of these children will be on the campus during the holiday season and without family.

“The fact that the 501st Legion can recognize that children who have disabilities that are not visible is incredibly important and incredibly open minded," Zaleski said. "This is the kind of support that can change the way the world views mental illness in all people.”

To find out how to participate in the Holiday Book Drive, contact the Bridgewater, Barnes & Noble Business Store Manager Tim King at 908-526-7425. For more information, go to www.barnesandnoble.com.

Staff Writer Cheryl Makin: 732-565-7256; cmakin@mycentraljersey.com