From our friends at the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources:

Raleigh—While many household items and family treasures have been lost to Hurricane Matthew, books can help children of all ages escape for a bit from the storm’s tremendous devastation. The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, in partnership with the North State Journal, is asking for donations of children’s books for Hurricane Matthew victims.
New or gently used books may be dropped off beginning Saturday, October 5 in 65-gallon bins located at these locations:
- North Carolina Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh;
- North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh; and
- North Carolina State Capitol Historic Site, 1 E. Edenton St., Raleigh
“So many families have lost everything following Hurricane Matthew, and for the children displaced by this disaster, that includes books,” said Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Susan Kluttz. “Books and stories can serve as an escape from our daily troubles, and it is our hope that this effort will bring some joy and comfort to the families affected by this storm”
To donate, please bring a new or gently used book to place in the bin at one of the four drop-off locations. The books will be collected and delivered to shelters, schools, and public libraries in the following eastern counties: Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Harnett, Hoke, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, Nash, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson, Wayne, and Wilson.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational, and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan Kluttz, NCDNCR’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.
NCDNCR includes twenty-seven historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums, and Jennette’s Pier, thirty-nine state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the nation’s first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call 919-807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.