PORTOLA VALLEY, Calif. (MMD Newswire) -- FamilyFun Magazine and Disney Friends for Change are honoring the Vercruysse-Vandeputte family as one of four Grand Prize winners for their family volunteer contest. Ward Vercruysse, Sofie Vandeputte, and their twins Olivia and Alec Vercruysse, age 10, have conducted book drives to collect over 6,000 books for 6 libraries in Botswana, Lesotho, and Ghana. The family can give the $5,000 prize to the charity of their choice, and they have decided to give it to the African Library Project to share the joy of reading with those who do not have enough books.
The family is motivated to volunteer because of the great need for books in sub-Saharan Africa, "Knowing that our books go to a place where they will be treasured and valued makes us happy," says Olivia. In order to raise the money needed to ship the book, they have been selling Belgian waffles and other delicacies inspired by their Belgian heritage. Mother Sofie appreciates how much support they have received from the community, "As a family, it made us realize how eight hands, a common goal, and great enthusiasm can affect so many people." The twins dream of visiting the libraries they have helped to establish. "I can't wait to meet the people that we've sent books to," says Alec.
The African Library Project has mobilized volunteers from across the United States to start 727 libraries in 9 countries over the past six years. It is an all-volunteer organization based in Portola Valley, Calif. that helps Americans start community libraries with African partners. Each book drive organizer collects 1000 books and $500 to ship the books to Africa. "We're thrilled that Disney FamilyFun Magazine is honoring our dedicated book drive organizers," says Chris Bradshaw, founder of the African Library Project, "We are recruiting book drive organizers now for Malawi and Ghana, so we hope other families will be inspired to volunteer."
The Vercruysse-Vandeputte family did their first book drive in 2010 and are committed to collecting enough books for at least four more libraries. Ten libraries is their short-term goal, but Sofie says they won't stop at ten, "We'll keep going."
The Vercruysse-Vandeputte family is featured in the April issue of FamilyFun magazine along with the other three winning families: The Konkels of Melrose Park, Illinois; the Doans of Dallas, Texas; and the Halls of Murrysville, Pennsylvania.
African Library Project
The African Library Project matches schools and organizations in the United States with African communities to create libraries. U.S. children and families donate their books and share the gift of reading with children in Africa. Books are collected in the U.S. through book drives and shipped by volunteers directly to the communities requesting them. www.africanlibraryproject.org Contact: Chris Bradshaw 650 851 3640, chris@africanlibraryproject.org or Sofie Vandeputte sofie_vandeputte@yahoo.com
About FamilyFun Magazine
Published by Meredith Publishing, FamilyFun magazine, which targets families with children 12 and under, has a rate base of 2.1 million and a total audience of 5.7 million (Source: 2011 Fall MRI). A trusted resource for families, FamilyFun delivers real ideas for -- and from -- real families. FamilyFun magazine's lively and informative content focuses on making the most of family time together through cooking, crafts, celebrations, volunteering, travel, and other family activities. The FamilyFun brands include FamilyFun books, FamilyFun Special Interest Publications, and digital apps such as the FamilyFun ToyHopper and our digital edition. Leveraging the depth of family-focused content and family marketing expertise, FamilyFun provides custom, innovative solutions to our advertising partners to reach moms everywhere they are.
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