2016 - One Jail, Four Rotary Clubs, 1000 Books and Magazines…

2016 - The Cobb Jail Book Project - Cobb Jail just got about 1,000 gently used books and magazines thanks to dozens of generous Rotarians at East Cobb Rotary, South Cobb Rotary, Marietta Metro Rotary and Smyrna Rotary. The project started with Rotarian Jay Treadwell, who had boxes of gently used books that needed a home. Last year, Smyrna Rotary donated about 450 books and magazines to the Smyrna Jail, but now they have all that they can handle. Contacting Cobb Jail was the next logical choice, and they responded eagerly.

But why do this? South Cobb Rotary’s President Michael Martin explains: “The inmates in the Cobb Prison system are people like us who have dreams, hopes and wishes that have been deferred because of criminal activity. Showing care and concern for their wellbeing may help rekindle and make possible the dreams, hopes and wishes that were put on hold.”

Adds East Cobb Rotary’s President Ken Crowell: “Inmates are just like the rest of us—they need to be intellectually stimulated to be productive. It’s our hope that these books and magazines will help give them a glimpse of what life can be after their release.”

The project was fairly simple. “We just asked members in the clubs to find gently used books and magazines from their own collections,” says Smyrna’s Narayan Sengupta. “We also bought a few at Goodwill and elsewhere. We added ‘Donated by Rotary’ labels to as many of the books and magazines as we could. The total project cost was under $100, but the value was thousands of dollars.”

This innovative project benefited hundreds of inmates with materials that will literally have a long shelf life. The PR value to promote the Rotary Brand and the Rotary Clubs was extensive not just to Smyrna Rotary, but to the other participating clubs.

That several clubs were able to collaborate so easily was thanks to The Cobb County Rotary Council, run by Assistant DG Kurt von Borries. “The Council,” says von Borries “is made up of the Presidents and President Elects of the seven Cobb County Rotary clubs, representing over 500 Rotarians. It helps educate our club's leaders to better serve our clubs and our community and discuss and collaborate on projects like this one.”

The last word on this should come from Chief Deputy Milton Beck and Colonel Janet Prince in the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office. They write:

It is with our sincerest thanks and appreciation that Rotary has taken an interest in promoting literacy for those individuals in custody with limited access to resources within the community. Your contribution of reading materials (books and magazines) will have a significant impact on our inmate population who would not otherwise be able to afford to purchase these items. In a correctional environment where there is minimal activities to occupy their time and minds, this donation will serve as a reminder that there are those that care about all individuals in our community, regardless of their circumstances. Again, we thank you for your kindness and spirit of giving.

Other Rotary Clubs or other community service groups can also do this project easily for their own local jails. To get the “blueprint,” email Narayan Sengupta – f12@nfiweb.com.

Smyrna Rotary is always looking for the community's business and service leaders. For more information about the club or membership, please email f12@nfiweb.com.