University of Delaware sophomore Vincenza Carrieri-Russo was recently honored with the Daily Point of Light Award for July 15, 2004 by the Daily Points of Light Foundation for her creation of the statewide literacy organization Success Won’t Wait, Inc. The Daily Points of Light Award honors individuals and volunteer groups that have made a commitment to connect Americans through service to help meet critical needs in their communities. Each weekday, one volunteer or volunteer effort nationwide receives a Daily Point of Light Award and is featured on the Foundation‘s web site. Carrieri-Russo is one of only seven volunteers from the State of Delaware honored since 1998, when the Daily Points of Light web site went on-line.

Carrieri-Russo’s outstanding community service efforts to improve literacy in Delaware began in 2002 as an 18-year-old high school senior, when she taught a family friend’s daughter to dance. Her friend’s young son would wait in the lobby and Carrieri-Russo thought a basket of books would give him something positive to do while waiting. The basket was so successful, in fact, that she placed several others — in a nearby karate studio, hair salon, and doctor’s office. The program grew rapidly with scores of requests for baskets.

Since the program’s inception, Carrieri-Russo has organized dozens of statewide book drives, calling on residents to donate used books for redistribution in the community. To date she has collected over 12,000 books.

“It is an incredible honor to be recognized by the Daily Points of Light Foundation,” says Carrieri-Russo. “My hope is that this award will raise even more awareness of my program, and help me in my goal of collecting 20,000 books by the end of 2004.”

In addition to highlighting the efforts of volunteers nationwide, the Daily Points of Light Foundation’s mission is to engage more people more effectively in volunteer community service to help solve serious social problems. “Points of Light are the soul of America. They are ordinary people who reach beyond themselves to the lives of those in need, bringing hope and opportunity, friendship and care,” says former president and Points of Light founder George Bush.

More than 100 million people in this country volunteer their time, talent and energy to help others, solve social problems and build strong communities. These volunteers represent all backgrounds and beliefs and range in age from 5-95, but share the common goal of working to make a difference.

Founded in 2002, Success Won’t Wait, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit literacy organization based in Wilmington, Delaware. 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.

Read now, because success won’t wait!