Founded by Susan McNeill and Vincenza Carrieri-Russo, Success Won’t Wait is a nonprofit literacy initiative based in Wilmington, Delaware. We are dedicated to encouraging a love of reading, especially by children, and serve communities throughout Delaware, the surrounding states and across the US.

Success Won’t Wait operates as a dynamic volunteer-driven program centered on community involvement. Volunteers organize used book drives, inviting individuals, schools, businesses, faith-based organizations and other nonprofits to donate new and gently used books. Donation sites include a variety of locations to make giving easy and accessible.

Once books are collected, they are carefully processed to ensure quality and usability. Volunteers clean and inspect each book, erase pencil marks and make any small repairs needed. And, any previous ownership markings are covered to give each book a fresh start! Books are sorted by age range and category to ensure they can be matched thoughtfully to future readers. Each book also receives a Success Won’t Wait label, which provides information for anyone interested in donating or volunteering.

Success Won’t Wait maintains a small office and “warehouse” space to support day-to-day operations. This location is a central hub for receiving donations, organizing volunteers, storing books and coordinating outreach efforts.  

As part of its mission, Success Won’t Wait focuses on three core program areas. The first is the creation of children’s book baskets designed for shared community spaces such as waiting rooms, lobbies and other places where children often have to wait. These baskets are curated to include a wide range of reading levels and interests, making books readily available and inviting for young readers.

The second focus area is the development of independent libraries within organizations and facilities that serve children, teens and families. These mini libraries are tailored to the specific needs of each population, and may be placed in both residential and day-use locations.

Finally, Success Won’t Wait supports special distribution efforts by providing large-scale book donations to organizations and groups with specific literacy needs. These projects are guided by community partnerships and a shared commitment to literacy.

Through volunteer engagement and strong community partnerships, Success Won’t Wait is proud to be building a sustainable model for expanding book access and fostering a lifelong love of reading!

Want to learn more about Success Won’t Wait’s literacy projects, how to donate used books in Delaware, or volunteer your time? Click on the About Us tab to learn more.