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Girls 'flock' for books and bat mitzvah
(by Sue Hoffman - November 03, 2010)
Girls 'flock' for books and bat mitzvah
By SUE HOFFMAN
Finding a "flock" of pink flamingos on the lawn in the morning may indicate it's time to search the house for gently used books. At least it does when Solon Middle School seventh-graders Celia Schwartz and Melanie Myeroff come calling.
The two friends already have collected 350 books from 16 houses since they started gathering them a few weeks ago. The girls are doing the service project as they prepare for their bat mitzvah at Fairmount Temple in Beachwood on April 9.
"We want to collect a thousand books," Celia said.
All of the books will be taken to Cleveland Reads, which works to strengthen literacy efforts in Cleveland area schools and after-school reading programs for youth.
"Victims" of their efforts are not random, the girls said. "We go by referrals," Melanie said.
The girls, both 12, have been flocking two houses a night. Working under cover of darkness, Celia and Melanie plant 20 flamingos in the yards of people referred to them by their last book donors. They also leave a plastic bag and book bag for the donated books, as well as a note.
"This flocking is done in good spirits and is meant to be fun," the girls say in their note. "These flamingos will roost on your lawn until this evening, when they will mysteriously migrate to another friend's lawn. If you would like to specify the next 'victim,' all we ask is a donation to our project," which is "like-new" books for school-age children.
The girls also leave a sign in the front yard saying, "Congratulations, you've been flocked!"
The idea of "flocking" came from Celia's mother, Lori, who grew up in Wisconsin. "When I was a kid, we did it all the time." It seemed perfect for the book drive, she said.
"We get a lot of requests for money and that's great," she said. The book drive is different, since no requests for money are involved.
For Celia and Melanie, it's another time to share something in common. The girls both have younger brothers, Ben and Danny, respectively, who are helping to plant the flamingos. They have mothers with the name "Lori" and they both love to read.
"I love reading," said Melanie, who also enjoys cheerleading at school and in competition. "Kids who don't have books should have them." Her favorite author is Jody Picoult.
Celia, who participates in Stagecrafters through Orange Community Education and Recreation, now is reading Rick Riordan and Suzanne Collins books.
Mrs. Schwartz has been stacking boxes of the donated books in her dining room. "We have seven boxes, and we're still counting."
"We're getting classic books," Mrs. Myeroff said. She said the first person they flocked was a friend and neighbor. "She is an avid reader so we hit her where it hurts."
The mothers pointed out the number and excellent quality of the donations. Books range from Dr. Seuss books to the C.S. Lewis "Chronicles of Narnia" series, Rick Riordan books, Shel Silverstein collections and many more.
Celia and Melanie said they'll continue planting flamingos in yards until the ground freezes. They're also looking forward to the bat mitzvah party they'll share.
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