Inaugural University of Delaware Athletics/Success Won’t Wait Children’s Book Drive a Huge Success
October 19, 2011
Photos Courtesy of Success Won't Wait
NEWARK, Del. -- The inaugural University of Delaware Athletics Children’s Book Drive, held as part of the Blue Hen football game vs. Massachusetts on Oct. 15 at Delaware Stadium, was a huge success.
Volunteers from Success Won’t Wait and the brothers of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity teamed up for the event, which was coordinated by former Blue Hen football player and current UD Athletics Marketing & Promotions intern Siddiq Haynes.
Fans were urged to bring new or gently used children’s book and drop them off at the main gates prior to the football game. Delaware fans responded in a big way as nearly 3,000 children’s books for Success Won’t Wait’s literacy programs were gathered.
Book Drive participants were rewarded with a free game ticket voucher to either a future regular season football game, or a men’s or women’s basketball game, plus a 25 percent off coupon good for a general reading book at the UD Bookstore, courtesy of Barnes & Noble.
"I would like to send huge thank you to Vincenza Carrieri-Russo, Don and Susan McNeill of Success Wont Wait, Pi Kappa Phi of the Theta Nu Chapter, and all of our Blue Hen fans for making this book drive a success,” said Haynes, an all-conference defensive tackle for the Delaware’s 2010 NCAA national runner-up squad and a 2011 English graduate of the University of Delaware. “There are plenty of children who will benefit from the books that we have collected. We are very thankful to have the strong support from not only our great fans but from everyone who was involved in making this drive a success. Dare to Make a Difference. Go Hens!”
Haynes is no stranger to community service. The former defensive tackle was the captain of the 2010 Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team and was honored at halftime of last year’s Sugar Bowl game in New Orleans. Haynes received the prestigious award, which annually recognizes college football student-athletes who demonstrate a singular commitment to serving their communities, protecting the integrity of the sport and showcasing 
its positive impact well beyond the playing field. The Success Won’t Wait Used Book Drive is just the latest in a long series of community service projects created by Haynes.
Success Won’t Wait, which was co-founded in 2002 by McNeill, is a not for profit literacy program. The organization has collected over 250,000 books from over dozens of book drives that have been held throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. From businesses, retail locations, churches, and civic associations, to private and public schools have all been involved.
Success Won’t Wait’s offices and warehouse facility are located at 1729 Marsh Road in North Wilmington. Those who wish to participate in the program but were unable to attend the football game may make donations at this permanent drop off location.
To learn more about Success Won’t Wait’s literacy projects, how to donate books, or to volunteer your time, visit www.successwontwait.org.
