H. Pearce Regional Offices Hold a Book Drive for New Haven Reads in Memory of Christine Alexander

New Haven (August 2011) – Barbara L. Pearce, President and CEO of H. Pearce Company REALTORS®, is pleased to announce that H. Pearce’s regional offices recently held a book drive in memory of Christine Alexander, the late founder and Co-Executive Director of New Haven Reads. “What was remarkable about Christine was her ability to transform her zeal for helping others into a multitude of valuable programs that truly served the New Haven community,” says Barbara Pearce. “We are grateful to be able to contribute to her cause in any way we can.”

During the month of July, books were collected from the Branford, New Haven and Wallingford regional offices, as well as from the Whitney Grove mailroom. In total, close to 30 boxes and bags brimming with books were collected at the sites. People also signed up to volunteer at New Haven Reads. Anita Kamalanathan (New Haven regional office) shares a touching story of a donation: “One of the calls we received was from a teacher, Ms. Liz Lazar, who dropped off at least 7 bags full of children’s books at the Branford office. Ms. Lazar mentioned that her late husband had also worked with Herb Pearce [H. Pearce’s late founder] at the A. C. Gilbert Co.”

In 2003, Christine Alexander founded New Haven Reads as a book bank with the mission “to share the joy and power of reading.” The community resource and literacy center has since expanded to four locations and a variety of programs, including tutoring, a book distribution program, ESL courses, literacy camp, and more. Alexander recently passed away after battling breast cancer.

“We were so enthused when we saw the numbers of books brought in! [H. Pearce] held a wonderfully successful book drive,” says Kirsten Levinsohn, Co-Executive Director of New Haven Reads. “It is extraordinary how the community has come together to pay tribute to Chris. She has clearly touched a lot of peoples’ lives.”

Levinsohn says that New Haven Reads is delighted to accept all kinds of books. She adds that children’s books are especially welcome because hundreds of teachers pick up books for the upcoming school year. She stresses that the center is always looking for volunteers, especially for one-on-one tutoring as there are always students seeking after-school tutoring.

To make a donation to New Haven Reads or to volunteer, go to their website, www.newhavenreads.org, or contact them at 203.752.1923.

Wallingford Regional Office Gifts Personal Care Boxes to Shelter

Wallingford (December 2010) – Pearce Real Estate President and CEO Barbara L. Pearce is pleased to announce that the Wallingford Regional Office generously donated personal care boxes to the Wallingford Emergency Shelter. The items collected included toothpaste, long-sleeved shirts, tote bags, pens, gloves, hats, scarves, deodorant, hand sanitizer, lotion, tooth brushes, shampoo, conditioner, soap, combs, decks of cards, etc. They were wrapped up as holiday gifts for the homeless. “The H. Pearce Company is grateful that we have employees who are so ready and eager to serve the community,” says Pearce.

“There is a wonderful group of people in that Wallingford office and they are always willing to step out and reach out to the community when the community is in need,” says Diana Reilly, Associate Director of the United Way of Meriden & Wallingford. Reilly says that in United Way’s eight years of working with H. Pearce’s Wallingford office they have always been great at stepping up and coming up with creative ways to serve the community year-round, and especially during the holiday season.

The Wallingford Emergency Shelter provides clients with three meals a day, cots, showers, and bed clothing. John Bruce, case manager at the shelter, shares that the extra frills and goodies that come generously from different organizations make the clients feel good because they know that someone is thinking of them. “We’re full to capacity with fifteen clients who will be here till Christmas and they will receive [the personal care] boxes Christmas or Christmas Eve, says Bruce. “They will be appreciative because they will be receiving items they probably wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. Thanks to the Wallingford office for reaching out and getting involved.”

For more information about the United Way, go to their website: www.liveunited.org.