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Long Island Press Publisher Named to Board of Nonprofit The Book Fairies

Joanna Austin
Joanna Austin

The Book Fairies, a Freeport-based nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating illiteracy, appointed Long Island Press Publisher Joanna Austin to its board of directors.

Austin, who has more than two decades of integrated marketing experience, is also executive vice president of events for the Press’ parent company, Schneps Media, the largest family-owned community news group in New York State. She will serve the board in many capacities in addition to supporting the not-for-profit’s growth.

“We are thrilled to welcome Joanna to The Book Fairies team,” said Eileen Minogue, executive director of the nonprofit. “She brings extraordinary talent, expertise, and energy to the table and we are very fortunate to have her by our side as we continue to build and serve communities in need and work to erase illiteracy.”

Since 2012, The Book Fairies have been changing lives, collecting new and gently used books and upcycling them to schools and organizations that work with people in need. The reading materials foster literacy and academic success, provide a respite from personal struggles, and nurture a love of reading across varying age groups.

Related Story: Literacy Nonprofit The Book Fairies’ Novel Idea: Break Guinness World Record

To date, The Book Fairies have donated more than 2 million books to over hundreds of underprivileged schools and organizations across Long Island, the greater New York metropolitan area, and overseas.

“I am thrilled to join The Book Fairies team and their mission to eradicate illiteracy,” said Austin. “Literacy is a cornerstone to opportunity to imagine, learn, and dream and I am honored to help The Book Fairies put books in children hands, instill the love of reading and watch their passions grow.”