The initiative was led by senior volunteer Carol Mackela and college student Mhambi Musonda through The Legacy Project and with the support of Fairfax County volunteers.
In Fairfax County, a shared passion for reading and learning blossomed into a success story connecting retirees, young changemakers, volunteers, and schools across the region. What began as a simple idea grew into a meaningful literacy effort led by Carol Mackela, 75, and Mhambi Musonda, 21, as part of their civic engagement project through The Legacy Project, a national nonprofit connecting younger and older adults for multigenerational friendship and storytelling.
When they started, Carol said, they did not have a specific goal or a clear idea of how many books they would be able to collect. She made flyers, sent emails, and placed collection boxes throughout her retirement community, Greenspring by Erickson Senior Living. A collection point was also placed at the RSVP-NV office, and RSVP volunteers contributed a significant portion of the donations.
The collection lasted just over a month, from late March through early May. After connecting with Greenspring residents and RSVP volunteer Ken Kozloff, the team was soon overwhelmed in the best way by the community’s response. “Some people donated one book, some donated 100,” Carol said. By the end of the drive, the effort had surpassed 1,100 donated children’s books for K–5 students.
As more books arrived, Ken, a school liaison, saw his garage become a temporary library. He also coordinated distribution with other liaisons in his network, arranging pickup and drop-off routes. The team chose to donate the books to 25 Title I schools within the Fairfax County Public School system, giving each school full discretion over how to use the donations.
“We wanted to give them full autonomy to use the books in the way they felt would help most,” Ken explained, noting that many children in the county face needs that are not always visible to the wider community. “Allowing schools to share them directly with students, without red tape, made all the difference.”
The project also highlighted the power of connection. Through RSVP-NV’s network of volunteers, school liaisons, and community relationships, the book collection became a coordinated effort that reached classrooms and students across the county. Each connection helped the project grow, from the first collection boxes to the volunteers who donated, sorted, transported, and helped place books where they could make the greatest impact.
With enthusiastic feedback from schools and liaisons, organizers are now exploring an expanded 2027 drive that could reach more schools and bring in additional partners, building on the momentum of a project that started with a simple idea and grew far beyond expectations.
