Founded in 2002 by Susan McNeill & Vincenza Carrieri-Russo, Success Won’t Wait, Inc. is a non-profit literacy program based in Wilmington, Delaware. The organization’s mission is to encourage reading, particularly by children, and services Delaware and the surrounding states. Success Won’t Wait volunteers organize used book drives, calling on ordinary citizens to donate used books for redistributi
on in the community. To date, dozens of book drives have been held throughout the Mid-Atlantic at many different types of locations. Both private and public schools — from pre-schools to the University of Delaware – have become involved. In addition, businesses, retail locations, churches, and civic associations have also agreed to become book drop locations for donations, or have themselves become large book donors. But the greatest outpouring is consistently shown by countless individuals, who have scoured their garages, basements, and bookcases for unused books in support of the program and its mission. Success Won’t Wait has collected over 500,000 books, with approximately 20,000 of those currently awaiting distribution. After books have been collected, they must be cleaned and inspected for damage. Pencil marks are erased, minor rips repaired, previous owner’s names are blacked out, and spines are strengthened. Books are then sorted according to category and age appeal. Finally, a Success Won’t Wait, Inc. sticker is placed on the inside and outside cover. This identifies the organization as well as provides information to any reader who might be interested in donating or volunteering. Where are we located? Success Won’t Wait’s offices and warehouse facility are located at 1729 Marsh Road in North Wilmington. This office is staffed part-time and offers donors a permanent drop location as well as increased visibility in the community.
1729 Marsh Road, Wilmington, DE 19810
302-478-2486
www.SuccessWontWait.org
Success Won’t Wait’s Programs:
Since its inception, the group has expanded its original mission and developed three major project areas:
~ Children’s Book Baskets. To date, Success Won’t Wait, Inc. has provided over 200 children’s book baskets to locations in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. These baskets are filled with 30-50 children’s books and are carefully chosen to include something for everyone, from ABC’s, to easy readers, to joke books for pre-teens. They are placed, at no cost, in waiting rooms and lobbies where children frequently have to wait. Examples of placement locations include Kids Kuts, American Dance Academy, and Winner Ford of Newark.
~ Creating “Independent Libraries.” Each library contains over 1,000 books that are specially chosen tot reflect the needs of the population. Libraries are created in both temporary residential and day-only settings. Examples of libraries that have already been developed include: The Bayard House, a temporary residential facility for pregnant teens; Telegraph Road Learning Center, an alternative learning facility for teens with special needs; and Delaware Adolescent Program, a special high school for young parents and girls aged 12-19 who are pregnant; Exceptional Care, a hospice in Newark for chronically ill and dying children; and PAL Center in New Castle, a refuge for inner city youth.
~ Special Projects. Large book donations, frequently in excess of 1,000 books each, are culled from our collection for various organizations and groups. Examples include our U.S. troops stationed overseas (through the Operation AC program), Gander Hill and Baylor Women’s Prisons, Delaware Foster Grandparents Program, and Kent County’s P.E.A.K.
