The Alternative Press

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - On Wednesday, Feb. 13, Hal Daume, Past President of the Rotary Club of Berkeley Heights, and Michael Shapiro, Club President for 2012-13, presented  26 special books to the Berkeley Heights Public Library to honor the memories of the victims of the Newtown massacre.  Attending the presentation were Berkeley Heights Mayor Joe Bruno, Library Director Stephanie Bakos, and Head of the Children's Department Laura Fuhro.

Each book is inscribed, “In Memoriam to the Schoolchildren and Teachers of Newtown, Connecticut, 14 December 2012”  and was selected personally by Bakos and Fuhro. 

Each children’s book deals with some aspect of loss; each book for parents helps families cope with loss and grief. 

Presently on display, these 26 books have been added to the library’s permanent collection.

“The 2012-13 world-wide Rotary initiative and theme is ‘Peace Through Service’,” said Dr. Daume.  “It’s our hope that, through these books, some small measure of peace may be brought to those in need of comfort over these tragic losses, or perhaps for some sadness or loss in their own lives.”

Founded in 1966, the Rotary Club of Berkeley Heights is celebrating its 47th continuous year of service to the community.  The Club’s members are civic-minded local professionals and business-people.  Berkeley Heights Rotary Club meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesdays from 12:15 to 1:30 PM at The Chimney Rock Inn, 342 Valley Road, in Gillette  The luncheon-and-program fee is $15.  All meetings are open to the public.