Got Paperbacks? An Annapolis Woman Wants Them
Sandy Marron volunteers for Operation Paperback, a nonprofit that collects gently used paperbacks and sends to troops and veterans.
Once she found out about Operation Paperback, the rest was history for Sandy Marron of Annapolis. It was also biographies, novels, sci-fi and all the other genres of paperback books Marron could get her hands on.
Operation Paperback is a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit that collects and sends gently used paperback books to American troops overseas and veterans facilities in the United States.
Marron learned about the nonprofit a little more than a year ago and it seems she's had quite the productive year.
"I've sent out over 1,000 books," Marron said. "I love this project—this is one of those 'feel good' types of projects."
Where does she get all of those books?
Marron said she's found a lot in her own backyard, so to speak.
"I live in Heritage Harbour, which is a rather large senior community and I have access to our local newsletter, which comes out monthly," she explained. "I have mentioned Operation Paperback in three newsletters and that has helped."
And then, of course, there's word of mouth.
"I talk about it to all my friends and they pass the word along," Marron said.
She said she collects all genre of paperbacks with two exceptions.
"They prefer not to have romance or religious," she said.
Marron's efforts have definitely been noticed.
"Operation Paperback is a like a grassroots organization and there's probably 15,000 volunteers across the United States—not all of them are as enthusiastic as Sandy is," said Chrissy Honeywell, president of the organization.
She said the cost to ship the books falls on the volunteer.
"It's all individual people collecting and sending books—the thing that's really good news is books can be media mailed through the post office," Honeywell said. "It's very inexpensive—not to downplay any of our volunteers contributions, but it's more affordable. It makes it so more people can participate."
If you have used paperback books you'd like to donate, you may contact Marron at 410-224-2559 (after 10:30 a.m.) or email at slmmuscles1@aol.com. She also needs box donations.
