Earlier this month, Success Won’t Wait volunteer Christine McNeill was honored at the 3rd Annual IDEA Awards Ceremony, sponsored by the Delaware Charter Schools Network. The IDEA Awards (Innovation, Dedication, Education, & Admiration) recognize the exemplary dedication and hard work of teachers, leaders, legislators, parents, students, and community members across Delaware’s Charter School Community.

According to the Delaware Charter Schools Network, “Our schools would not be successful without every one of our community members working together with the “it takes a village” mentality. The IDEA Awards Ceremony celebrates and honors the entire “village.”

Christine McNeill was honored for her 12 years of service to promoting literacy through literacy projects at Success Won’t Wait. Vincenza Carrieri-Russo, co-founder of SWW, explained her dedication in her winning nomination essay:

“Community service is simply a way of life for Christine and her entire family. Both parents and all three children have volunteered with Success Won’t Wait since 2002. As the youngest member of the family, that means that Christine has been involved in volunteerism since she was in pre-K. In fact, her first “leadership role” within the organization was inviting classmates to create book baskets for waiting rooms/lobbies — she was in kindergarten at the time!

For over a decade, Christine has simply pitched in with tasks that were within her abilities. She has cleaned and labeled literally tens of thousands of books! Christine also has helped man Book Drives, which provide the organization with the books necessary to fulfill the many requests received every month. Over the course of the last 12 years, Christine has helped collect over 600,000 books, which have then been redistributed to Delaware elementary and middle schools, senior centers, both men’s and women’s prisons, HeadStart locations, PAL locations, Boys and Girls Clubs, plus many more…

Success Won’t Wait simply wouldn’t have completed as many literacy projects as is has, with Christine. She is a wonderful and very dedicated volunteer! The results of her volunteer efforts can’t be overstated. She has had a direct impact on tens of thousands of children, teens and adults within Delaware, in the region, and even nationwide…”

Congrats to Christine and a heartfelt thank you for your hard work over the last 12 years!

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, or volunteer your time? Click on the About Us tab to learn more.

Read now, because success won’t wait!