Mary Jo Roberge shows off some of the books sent to schools in Louisiana and Mississippi. (NYSUT Photo)

Each year, paraprofessionals and school-related personnel (PSRP) leaders in New York state bring books to their leadership conference and donate them to needy schools in their state. This October, those attending the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) leaders meeting in Rochester decided to send the more than 2,000 books they collected to storm-ravaged schools in Louisiana and Mississippi.

One NYSUT local alone—the North Syracuse Education Association—collected more than 800 books for local president Mary Jo Roberge to add to the book pile. The books were sent to several schools, including those in Pass Christian, Miss., and St. Tammany Parish and Jefferson Parish, La. Sue Hatem, president of the Pass Christian local, says one school’s librarian "was overcome with joy at the sight of the books. To have books to share with our students is a wonderful experience for her now."