Teen holds book drive for YMCA
By: Stephanie Brown
Andrew Rullo is a self-proclaimed dreamer.
But with a lot of hard work, and the support of a generous community, one dream the 16-year-old has is coming true.
As part of his Eagle Scout project for Monmouth Junction, Troop 10, the Life Scout is expanding the children’s library at the South Brunswick YMCA by holding a book drive and organizing all the donated materials he receives.
"I wanted to do something that had the core Eagle values at heart, but I also wanted to do something big," he said Tuesday. "My mentor says, there are eagles and then there are eagles who soar high. I want to be an eagle who soars high."
After a meeting with YMCA Executive Director Tom Libassi during the fall, Andrew took an interest in the early education program offered at the Childhood Development Center.
"They had all these things set up for the kids, but no books," he said, explaining that the children’s library consisted of only one magazine-rack worth of literature. "I thought, ‘I’ve got to get these kids some books.’"
An avid reader, Andrew felt expanding the Y’s children’s library was not only an ideal Eagle project, but also the perfect way to share one of his favorite pastimes with others.
"I like to read and I like to show other kids the joys of reading," he said.
In order to improve the Y’s library, Andrew is not only collecting new and slightly used books, but also dry erase boards with markers, puzzles, tapes, reusable workbooks and any other learning materials that would help develop literacy skills in children between the ages of 2½ and 5 years old.
Collection drop-off points are currently located at the South Brunswick Municipal Building, South Brunswick High School, and at both Crossroads South and North Middle schools. The collection will run through May 26.
Afterward, with the help of other Scouts, and possibly family and friends, Andrew and crew will take on the daunting task of sorting all the donated materials.
Only age-appropriate books will be alphabetized and cataloged for the library. Those that are too advanced will instead be sent to South Brunswick elementary schools.
In the meantime, Andrew’s family room is overflowing with books.
"You can’t even see the floor I’ve gotten so many books so far," he said. "The people in the community have been very generous."
In fact, because he has already received so many donations, Andrew has decided to make another mobile book cart in addition to the one he has already built. He is also considering constructing shelves to house the new materials.
At the project’s completion, Andrew said he’d "like to see a nice room full of books, maybe some Scouts reading to children, maybe kids listening to books on tape, or reading on their own."
Ultimately, Andrew hopes his project will continue to serve the community for many years to come.
"I’d like to come back 10 or 15 years after I’ve been out in the world and say ‘I did that,’" he said.

