Martino and her children passed out colorful flyers asking

area residents to "Give a Book to a Kid." It explained that the

brand-new books were $1 to $5 and where they would be going. She

said people donated "a dollar or two, sometimes five, and every

dollar raised was used to purchase books for children.

"Due to the warmhearted Fayette County citizens and

the generous discount on the part of Global Surplus, we were able

to provide Interfaith Outreach Home with 52 brand-new

children's books and 19 paint-with-water or sticker type coloring

books," Martino said. "Egleston Children's Hospital received 101

new children's books and 30 paint-with-water or sticker type

coloring books."

The family also took advantage of the Peachtree City

Library book sale to purchase used books for older children. In

addition, Omega Books in Peachtree City and the Book Worm in

Fayetteville each "donated generously of their secondhand books" so

the preteen and teenaged children would receive books also. In

total, they gathered 112 secondhand paperback books.

Martino said the post offices in Peachtree City and

Fayetteville donated 100 coloring books and she was able to purchase

from Target ("at a greatly discounted price") 20 writing tablets, plus

50 more they donated to children in Ecuador.

In total, 445 books were given to either I.O.H. or Egleston.

"I thank the people of Fayette County for making this

happen," Martino said. "Every dollar you handed me did make a difference.

I thank the booksellers, the post offices, and the other

businesses such as Kroger and Outback Steakhouse for supporting this effort.

"I am proud to be a citizen of Fayette County."

While she has no plans presently to repeat this feat, she said

she is willing to help others with similar goals. Call Mary Ann

Martino at 770-486-0039.

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