8th Annual Community Book Drive
Collecting books August 1 – September 12, 2019
For children ages 0-11
The Community Book Drive is a partnership of the Hagerstown Area Religious Council (HARC), United Way of Washington County, and Hagerstown Rotary Club. Last year more than 14,000 books were collected and used through the new Community Book Warehouse, which is distributing them to community organizations, schools and individuals to get them into the hands of vulnerable children.
Everyone can collect books! Work with your churches, civic groups, businesses, and other organizations to collect age appropriate books, specifically geared to children ages birth through eleven (elementary school). Donated books can be new or gently used. Any books in this age group are eagerly accepted, but if you’re purchasing, a list of Recommended Books is below. If you want to support the effort without donating books, donations of funds to purchase books are gratefully accepted; you can
- Mail a check to HARC, P.O. Box 1158, Hagerstown, MD 21741-1158
- Use our online donation button above
Posters/flyers for collection sites and distribution:
- DROP BOOKS HERE poster
- Two Versions of Two page Poster/Flyer – Drop Here and 10 Reasons
- 2019 Book Drive Bulletin Insert
- 2019 Book Drive Recommended Books
If your group would like to collect books for the book drive, please contact Terri Gwizdala at gwizzy2000@gmail.com or Kathy Powderly at kathy.harc@gmail.com or 301-842-4272.
Visit the Early Childhood Advisory Council website for more information about early childhood education and literacy in Washington County.
Books will be collected at the following participating locations:
(This list will be regularly updated as sites are confirmed/added. Please note that locations without addresses and hours are not open for public drop-offs). Download a list of sites (does not include times or days).
A to Z Insurance Services
10226 Governor Lane Blvd, Suite 4007 Williamsport. M-F 9 am -5 pm
Amcor Hagerstown
Bella Salon and Spa
1691 Langley Drive, Hagerstown. T-F 9-4
Boonsboro First Christian Church
12-A St. Paul St., Boonsboro. Mondays August 5, 12, 19, 26 from 2-6 pm
Breast Cancer Awareness Cumberland Valley
12916 Conamar Drive, Suite 201, Hagerstown. M-F 8:30 – 4:00
Bridge of Life Church
12 S. Potomac St. M-F 9-12:30
Christ’s Reformed Church
130 W. Franklin St., Hagerstown. M-F 9 am – 3:30 pm
Church of the Holy Trinity
City Hall, Hagerstown
1 E Franklin St., Room 202, Hagerstown. M-F 8:30 – 4:30
City of Hagerstown, Department of Community & Economic Development
14 North Potomac Street, Suite 200A, Hagerstown. M-F 8:30 – 4:30
Clear Spring Middle School
Concordia Lutheran Church
Congregation B’Nai Abraham
Desert Rose Café
2 E Potomac St, Williamsport. M-Th 8-8, F-Sat 8-9, Sun 9-8
Discovery Station
101 W Washington St, Hagerstown. Tues-Sat 10-4
Doing Better Business
14500 Byers Road, Hagerstown. M-F 8:30 – 5:00
First Christian Church
1345 Potomac Ave, Hagerstown. M, T, Th, F 8-1 and 2-4; W 8-2:30
First Data
First United Bank
130 S Edgewood Dr, Hagerstown. M-Th 9-5, F 9-6, Sat 9-noon
1646 Wesel Blvd, Hagerstown. M-Th 9-3, F 9-6, Sat 9-noon
19405 Emerald Square, Suite 1000, Hagerstown. M-F 9-6, Sat 9-noon
100 S Main St, Smithsburg. M-Th 9-3, F 9-6, Sat 9-noon
Growing Tree Preschool
Hagerstown Community College
William Brish Library – Learning Resource Center, 2nd floor (open M-Th 8:30am-6pm and F 8:30am-4:30pm; Closed Saturdays and Sundays)
Student Center lobby (open M-Th 8:00am-7pm and F 8:00am-4:30pm; Closed Saturdays and Sundays)
Hagerstown Police Department
Hagerstown Rotary Club
Hagerstown Sunrise Rotary
Hamilton Nissan
1929 Dual Highway, Hagerstown. M-F 8-8, Sat 9-6
Haven Lutheran Church
1037 Haven Rd., Hagerstown. M-F 9 am – 1 pm
Herald-Mail Media
100 Summit Ave., Hagerstown. M-F 8-5 at front desk
Horizon Goodwill Industries
Hospice of Washington County
John Wesley United Methodist Church
129 N Potomac St., Hagerstown. M, Tu, Th or F 8am – 2pm. Use entrance at handicap ramp, ring doorbell.
Keller Stonebraker Insurance, Inc.
1120c Professional Court, Hagerstown. M-F 8-4
The Kosie Nest, A Family Daycare
Maryland Food Bank
220 McRand Court, Hagerstown. Tu 8-12, W 10-2, Th 12-4
Maryland Vision Institute
220 Champion Dr #100, Hagerstown. M-F 8-4
263 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Hancock. M-F 8-4
Meritus Family Practice/Community Book Warehouse
24 N Walnut Street, Hagerstown. M-F 8:30 – 5:00
Meritus Medical Center
Middletown Valley Bank
6721 Old National Pike, Hagerstown. 8:30 – 4:00
1101 Professional Court, Hagerstown. 8:30 – 4:00
13418 Marsh Pike, Hagerstown. 8:30 – 4:00
Mt. Nebo Preschool
Mulberry Lofts
22 N. Mulberry Street, Suite #101 Hagerstown. Box inside The Nook
Otterbein United Methodist Church
108 E. Franklin Street, Hagerstown. M-F 8-4
Patriot Federal Credit Union
11067 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown. M-F 8-4
18721 Longmeadow Road, Hagerstown. M-F 8-4
Peterson, Marisa
Potomac Case Management
324 E Antietam St, Suite 304, Hagerstown. M-F 8-4:30
Register of Wills
100 W. Washington Street Suite 3400, Hagerstown. 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Smithsburg Middle School
St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church
St. John’s Episcopal Church
101 S. Prospect St., Hagerstown
St. John’s Lutheran Church
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
601 W. Washington Ave., Hagerstown. Tues – Th 9-3
Trinity Lutheran Church, Boonsboro
TSYS Managed Services
Unitarian Universalist Church of Hagerstown
United Bank
18750 N. Pointe Dr., Hagerstown. M-F 8:30-4:00
1219 Mount Aetna Rd., Hagerstown. M-F 8:30-4:00
United Way of Washington County
83 W Washington St., Suite 101, Hagerstown. M-F 9-5
University System of Maryland at Hagerstown (USMH)
Valley Co-op
Hagerstown City Market, 25 West Church Street, Hagerstown. Sat 9-12
Washington County Chamber of Commerce
Washington County Health Department
1302 Pennsylvania Ave, Hagerstown. M-F 8 am – 5 pm
Western Maryland Hospital
1500 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown. 8 am – 7 pm (follow directions to back door)
Williamsport Rotary Club
Women’s Club
31 S. Prospect St., Hagerstown
Zion Reformed UCC
201 N Potomac St., Hagerstown. M-F 8:30 – 12:30
Books will be picked up from participating collection sites September 13-18 by volunteer drivers and will be sorted and counted on the United Way Day of Caring, Thursday, September 19. Collected books will be distributed throughout the community where most needed for early childhood literacy programs and vulnerable children.