Yingling Collecting New, Gently Used Children’s Books and School Supplies for School Library Damaged by Flooding

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – State Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, announced he will be holding a children’s book and school supply drive to help replace books for the W. J. Murphy Elementary School in Round Lake Park. The school’s library was badly damaged in the July floods.

“Natural disasters are devastating to any community,” said Yingling. “It is heartbreaking to see our neighbors suffer and lose property and personal items. Seeing the Murphy Elementary library completely underwater hit a nerve with me. Libraries are the backbone of any community, and our children depend on their school libraries to explore, learn and expand their horizons.”

Yingling is collecting new and gently used children’s books. Donations can be dropped off to Yingling’s constituent services office located at 1919 IL 83 in Round Lake Beach Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Murphy Elementary serves students in grades one through five. Yingling is requesting that no old encyclopedias, National Geographic or other magazines be donated. All donations will be given to District 116’s administrative office on 884 Nippersink Rd., in Round Lake. Additionally, the district is partnering with Bernie’s Book Bank https://www.berniesbookbank.org for help with sorting, collecting, and distribution of books collected.

“I am confident that our neighbors will join together to rebuild the communities that we love and call home,” Yingling added. “If residents do not have books to donate but would like to donate personal care items, bottled water, or other items in need by residents affected by the floods or volunteers, please feel free to bring those to my constituent services office and we will ensure that your donation goes to an organization helping residents of Lake County.

For more information on the representative’s book drive and ways you can contribute, please call Yingling’s constituent service office at 847-231-6262 or repsamyingling@gmail.com.