Hindi’s Libraries marks milestone with over 500,000 children’s books donated globally

Hindi’s Libraries — the nearly 6-year-old Cedarhurst-based nonprofit with a global reach — has now donated more than 500,000 children’s books.

The organization announced this landmark occasion in its mission to foster literacy among children worldwide on April 4.

“Reaching the milestone of distributing over 500,000 books is a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in Hindi’s Libraries,” the group’s co-founder Dovid Kanarfogel said. “We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to discover the joy of reading and explore the endless possibilities that books offer. This achievement motivates us to continue our efforts and expand our reach to even more children in need.”

Following the death of Hindi Krinsky, a beloved teacher at Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway, the organization was created in late 2018, diligently working to provide free new and gently used children’s books to those in need. The books are shipped all around the globe to serve different communities and help those who can’t afford books, according to Kanarfogel, who was Krinsky’s husband.

Hindi’s Libraries is honoring Krinsky’s memory by promoting the passion for children’s literacy and continuing her dedication to making sure each child has access to books with enthusiasm.

“Every book we donate gets a special dedication label on the inside front cover, with a picture of Hindi and talks about her life,” another co-founder, Leslie Gang, said. “With every book we contribute, we hope that Hindi’s legacy continues and somebody can connect with Hindi knowing how much she loved books.”

Hindi’s Libraries operates with the core belief that access to books is a fundamental right for all children, regardless of their socioeconomic background. By providing free books, the organization aims to inspire a love for reading, promote literacy skills and empower children to reach their full potential.

Through strategic partnerships, community engagement and support of volunteers and donors, the organization has been able to reach children in diverse communities, both locally and globally.

Hindi’s Libraries also partners with the Lizzy Anche Foundation in Nigeria. By delivering books to the foundation, which helps build libraries for underprivileged children. Hindi’s Libraries ships the books all over the states, and then the books head overseas to libraries in Nigeria. The shipping can cost hundreds of dollars, but Hindi’s Libraries covers the cost.

The foundation’s mission is to empower women and girls, enhancing their lives through economic opportunities, education and access to vital health information. The foundation helps several communities in Nigeria, impacting more than 1,000 pupils.

“Hindi’s Libraries is now shipping to over 900 groups over the world that support kids in need, because we’ve become well-known in the non-profit world,” Gang said. The Lizzy Anche Foundation reached out to us to see if it’s something we could do.”

Elizabeth Anche, the group’s founder and CEO, said, “We are proud members of a dynamic global community on Facebook called Women Helping Women, dedicated to empowering women across the world. Recognizing the power of collaboration, we actively sought partnerships with various groups of women entrepreneurs. Through our outreach efforts, we were fortunate to connect with a compassionate individual who graciously provided us with the contact information for Hindi’s Libraries team. Thus, our partnership with Hindi’s Libraries was born. Since 2022, we have been privileged to receive a steady supply of books from them, enabling us to make a positive impact within our communities.”

Anche expressed a “heartfelt gratitude” to Hindi’s Libraries for the donation of books.

“This gesture has had a profound impact on the children we serve, igniting a genuine desire within them to explore the world of literature and expand their horizons,” Anche added. “We are always eager to form new partnerships and collaborate with other organizations or individuals who share our vision of empowering and uplifting communities through education.”

Hindi’s Libraries said it’s proud to be affiliated with the foundation and to help children all over the globe gain access to books and literacy programs.

“We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from our community and beyond,” Gang said. “Together, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of children across the globe.”

To donate books to Hindi’s Libraries, go to HindisLibraries.org.