Ramapo Catskill Library System Archived Events
Public libraries of Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties
Below are libraries in the Ramapo Catskill Library System that participated in past instances of The Great Give Back! Return to the previous page for information about what libraries will be participating in this year’s GGB. Please contact libraries directly for questions regarding offered programming.
2022
Diaper Collection Drive to benefit Baby Steps Baby Pantry
October 10-21
Cornwall Public Library will be hosting a diaper collection drive to benefit Baby Steps Baby Pantry in Newburgh, NY. Please drop off new and unopened packages of diapers, wipes and diaper cream from October 10th through October 21.
Plastic Film Recycling Challenge
July 1 – December 31
Join the Cornwall Public Library in playing an active roll to reduce plastics in landfills and oceans. Simply bring your plastic film to the library and place it in our collection bin. Once we reach our goal of at least 500lbs, NexTrex® will turn our plastic film into a useful bench for our library grounds.
All plastic must be CLEAN, DRY and FREE of FOOD RESIDUE!
Ellenville Public Library and Museum
Donations of Dignity
October 1-31
Ellenville Public Library and Museum will once again be collecting Donations of Dignity October 1st-31st as a part of the Great Give Back! Please donate any unopened soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, razors, feminine hygiene products (such as pads and tampons), combs, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc. These items are greatly needed, but are not covered by foodstamps. Please drop off any such items to the box located near the desk inside of the library during open hours. We greatly appreciate your help!
Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library
Community Children’s Clothing Swap
October 1 (collection begins September 1)
11:00 am-1:00 pm
For adults & families
Gently used clothes for children will be available for parents to take. Kids grow so fast and we want to help ease the burden of constantly buying new clothes and shoes and help prevent these items from ending up in a landfill.
No registration is required. Clothing donations (for children & teen clothes) can be left with the children’s librarian or children’s room staff beginning 9/1/2022.
Catskill Animal Rescue Donation Drive
October 1-31
Fallsburg Library will be collecting donations for Catskill Animal Rescue! We will be accepting things such as dog/cat food, blankets, towels, toys, and treats. Help us help the animals in Sullivan County!
The Great Give Back
October 15 – November 9
Finkelstein Memorial Library will be collecting travel sized personal hygiene items to benefit a local food pantry, People to People in Nanuet, NY. All items may be dropped off to our collection bin in the library’s Children’s Room on the first floor.
Great Give Back For The Florida Food Pantry
October 1-31
The Florida Public Library will collect food and other necessities to supplement what the Florida Community Food Pantry is unable to provide through the food recovery program from local merchants. For the entire month of October, the library will be asking our patrons
to contribute specific requested items as well as grocery gift card or a monetary gift.
Requested items:
Chunky Peanut Butter
Spaghetti Sauce
Boxed Almond Milk
Oatmeal
Cereal
Sanitary Napkins
Brownie Mix
Tomato Sauce
Tomato Paste
The Great Give Back at Goshen Public Library & Historical Society
October 1-31
This year, we are partnering with Fearless! to collect hair and hygiene items for the community.
Fearless! provides free and confidential services for all victims and survivors of domestic violence, teen dating violence, and human trafficking.
Registration is not required, and this Give Back is open to ALL. Thank you.
Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library
Fall Fest & The Great Give Back
October 15 from 10:00 am-4:00 pm
All ages, families welcome!
Join us for a full day of fun! Take a walk through our vendors, check out the food trucks, play some games, listen to live music, and MORE!! Fun for the whole family! Donate to The Great Give Back! We will be collecting canned foods for People-to-People & the North Rockland Food Bank & items for Hi-Tor animal shelter! Visit bit.ly/ggb22 for a full list.
No registration required.
The Hudson Valley SPCA
October 1-31
Join us in our 4th year of participating in THE GREAT GIVE BACK. We will be collecting donations for The Hudson Valley SPCA Oct 1-31 during library hours M-Th 10-5, Wed 10-7, Sat 10-2.
Josephine-Louise Public Library
Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital Gift Drive
September 6 – October 31
The Holiday Wish List/Gifts for Pediatric Patients program at Maria Fareri Hospital is in Westchester, NY. “The Creative Arts Therapy department bridges the gap between home and the hospital by providing developmental and age-appropriate activities designed to help hospitalized children understand and adapt to the hospital experience.”
This department helps to bring a some normalcy to children and their families while a child is in the hospital. Gifts are made available so that holiday traditions or family celebrations can still be had.
Paper flyers and information will be available in the library and on our Facebook page.
Through Contactless Delivery, patrons can donate by purchasing toys, art supplies, t-shirts, or pajamas through a link on the hospital’s website: https://www.mariafarerichildrens.org/child-life-and-creative-arts-therapy
There are no restrictions as to who can donate, or where they are. There is no registration required. Since it is all online, this is a nice way to participate in helping support the hospital and the children who need to be there.
We would love to hear if you donated so we can add you to our list of thank yous! For more information, please call (845)778-7621
Support Washbourne House
October 1
For all ages
With the help of the community we would like to support those in difficult situations that involve domestic abuse. This year we have chosen Washbourne House, whose primary function is to provide safe shelter and comprehensive trauma informed services to survivors of domestic violence and their children.
We will be collecting everyday items used by the residents and former residents, as well as things we can use to help residents move into their own homes.
A list of items will be available in our library, and will be posted on our Facebook page.
Donations can be dropped off during our business hours:
Monday-Thursday 10:00am-8:00pm
Friday: 10:00am-6:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am-2:00pm
If you would like to donate items but are unable to drop them off during our business hours; we will try to arrange an alternate drop off plan. Call us at (845)778-7621
Donations for Rockland Warming Centers
October 8-22
Rockland County Social Services will open their warming shelters on Nov. 1. Lend a helping hand to those in need by donating shampoo, razors, deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and feminine hygiene products. Travel-sized items work best!
Newburgh Love and Warmth
October 15 – November 18
Newburgh Free Library will be collecting brand-new items of socks, scarves, gloves, and hats. Items collected will be distributed to families of the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. Along with the collection families who donate will have the opportunity to participate and write on a giant card of gratitude for community members to share messages of hope with the community. Our goal is to highlight people’s power by motivating others to share quotes or positive affirmations that have helped them through difficult times.
Nyack Great Give Back
October 17-31
Rockland County Social Services will open their warming shelters on Nov. 1st.Lend a helping hand to those in need by donating shampoo, razors, deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and feminine hygiene products. Travel-sized items work best!
Bring items to the vestibule at the Bridge Entrance of the
Library between October 17th and October 31st.
Give Back to your Local Pantries!
October 3-15
Food pantry collection – help us give back by donating food items to your local food pantries.
Community Collection
October 1-31
Community Collection for Hi-Tor Animal Shelter
The Pine Bush Area Public Library
Trex Recycling Program
Trex® is sponsoring a local plastic recycling program throughout the country. The Pine Bush Library has joined this program and we are actively working towards the 500 pounds of plastic required for Trex to donate a new bench to us. We have 6 months to reach that goal.
We have contacted local businesses, the USPS and others, including our own patrons, to bring the plastic to the Library. We then weigh the plastic, enter the poundage on the Trex website, then bring the plastic to Hannaford for pick up.
There are certain criteria for which kind of plastic can be donated and we have handed out flyers with all the information necessary to bring the correct products to the Library. We hope to reach our goal within the 6 months!
Pollinator Garden
The Pine Bush Library will be providing the Pine Bush High School with a Pollinator Garden. The students and a teacher interested in the Pollinator Gardens will care for the garden upon completion. The Library Garden will be tended by one of our staff members Our local Garden Club Members will also help to make these gardens thrive. Registration to participate in this program is not necessary. If someone would like to volunteer to assist with the gardens, please call the Pine Bush Library. We will be starting our Autumn Pollinator Gardens within the month of September.
Ramapo Catskill Library System
It’s a Diaper Drive!
October 15-29
From October 15 – 29, Suffern Free Library will be accepting new, unopened packages of diapers, pull-ups, and baby wipes in a receptacle in the upstairs lobby. All donations received will be distributed through local organizations.
The Pine Bush Area Public Library
Food Collection for the St. Paul’s Food Cupboard in Valley Cottage
October 1-17
Help the Food Cupboard create Thanksgiving food baskets for families by donating holiday food items like boxed stuffing mix, boxed instant mashed potatoes, canned yams/sweet potatoes, and canned vegetables. Other donations needed include: cereal, oatmeal, pasta, boxed macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, dry beans, rice, canned meats, canned fruit, and cooking oil in plastic bottles.
Donations of non-perishable, non-expired items can be placed in the collection box by the Circulation Desk.
Children’s Clothing Swap
October 15
11:00 am-3:00 pm
For families
Do you have drawers of baby clothes, but your baby is now in Kindergarten? Did your child have a growth spurt over the summer and now nothing fits? Come find something new-to-you at our Children’s Clothing Swap!
How it works:
Drop off your unwanted children’s clothing, in all sizes, from October 10-14. We’ll be collecting children’s clothes, shoes, coats, winter wear and Halloween costumes. Clothing must be in good condition, clean, no odors, rips, holes or stains.
Items will be sorted by size and category. Return on Saturday, October 15, 11am-3pm, to “shop” for free for what your family needs. We’ll have fun activities to entertain children while you shop.
You do not need to donate something to take something. No registration required!
The Big Green Box Used Battery Collection
September 1, 2022 – August 31, 2023
We have The Big Green Box open and ready to accept used batteries to be recycled. Located in our entryway, you will find the Big Green Box, along with plastic baggies. Please use a plastic baggie to place your batteries in before placing them in the Big Green Box. This program will run until the box is full or August 31, 2023.
Ulster County Food Fight
September 1 – October 15
The Ulster County Food Fight is a food collection contest amongst the Ulster County libraries. Please drop off non-perishable food items between September 1 and October 15, 2022 at the Wallkill Public Library located at 7 Bona Ventura Ave, Wallkill NY 12589. All items donated will be given to the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry in Wallkill.
Recycle Right
October 12
6:00-7:30 pm
Recycle Right! Why can’t ALL plastics be recycled? What does the chasing arrows symbol really mean? Are pizza boxes in or out? Should you recycle that coffee cup? What about a broken drinking glass? Putting unaccepted items in the recycling bin can damage equipment, harm workers, create inefficiencies in the recycling process, and reduce the value of the collected recyclables. This class will de-mystify recycling so you can be a better recycler! In this class, you will learn: How does recycling ‘work’ in Ulster County? What makes something ‘recyclable’? Why are certain items not acceptable for recyclable? What is ‘wishcycling’ and how does contamination affect recycling? And other info about UCRRA and our programs and services! Registration is required. Link to register: https://wallkillpubliclibrary.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails?EventId=3045&backTo=Calendar&startDate=2022/10/01 You may join the presentation at the library or join by Zoom.
Collection for The Center for Safety & Change
October 1-31
We will be collecting much-needed toiletry items for the Center for Safety & Change. We will be providing a “wish list” of items that are most needed.
Western Sullivan Public Library
Comfort Cases for Children in Foster Care
October 1 – November 19
At all three branches of WSPL
In partnership with Berkshire Farm Center & Services for Youth, we are asking for donations to create “Comfort Cases” to give to children in or entering the foster care system. Donations are accepted at all three branches of the Western Sullivan Public Library. Please visit our website or contact us for donation details.
The Great Give Back – Fearless! Hudson Valley
October 15-31
At the Ida Cornell Branch, 23 Smith Clove Rd, Central Valley, NY 10917
Help Woodbury Public Library give back to the community! For two weeks we will collect items for Welcome Baskets for new shelter residents and deliver them to Fearless! Hudson Valley, a shelter in Newburgh. Items needed include: a laundry basket, twin size sheet set, blanket or comforter, pillow, and bath and hand towel and wash cloth. Welcome Baskets will provide items needed by new residents that they can take when transitioning out of shelter. Thank you for helping us help our community during October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
2021
TerraCycle Program
October 16 2021- April 22, 2022
The Albert Wisner Public Library will participate in the TerraCycle program. This program will involve collecting typically nonrecyclable items and, with the help of leading manufacturers, turn them into new products. Drop off clean & empty: toothbrushes, tooth paste tubes, plastic razors, make-up dispensers and more to the collection bins on the basement floor of the library throughout the program dates.
The Great Give Back – Pantry Drive
October 16-30
Cornwall Public Library is collecting donations for the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. The Food Bank needs more than just food, so we are collecting paper and personal hygiene products in addition to non-perishable food items. We’re also going to try to fill a 5-gallon water jug with coin donations, which will additionally be donated to the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley.
Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library
Broadway Litter Pluck
Wednesday, October 13
2:00-4:00 pm
The Friends of the Library and other community members are planning a litter pluck on Broadway for October 13th from 2-4 (weather permitting). We will have bags and gloves for everyone. If you’d like to join us, we’d love to have you! We’ll meet outside the library around 2pm that day.
Great Giveback School Supply Drive
October 16 – November 1
This year, Finkelstein Memorial Library’s Teen Advisory Board has decided to collect school supplies that will once again benefit our ESL students and their families. The teens will be decorating a donation bin and helping to promote the program through social media. The donation bin will be placed in the Children’s room from October 16 through November 1. Patrons will be encouraged to drop off new school supplies such as notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, water bottles, lunchboxes, backpacks, or other school supplies.
Specific Dietary Needs Food Drive for Florida Food Pantry
September 1 – October 16
The FPL “Great Give Back” event provides opportunities for patrons to benefit the Florida Community Food Pantry’s specific dietary needs during September and October. See the list below for items to choose from. You can either drop your donations off at the library or bring them during a program. Thank you for supporting your community!
Box Milk
– Lactose-free is the greatest need
Non-perishable Vegetarian (canned, cartons, bagged)
– Meals (i.e. Quinoa)
– Soups
– Broth
Non-perishable sugar-free
– Snacks
– Baking items
Non-perishable Gluten-free
– Baking items
Ulster County Food Fight
September 1-18
The Ulster County Food Fight, as part of the Great Give Back, is an annual food collection contest held in cooperation with twelve libraries throughout Ulster County. The common goal is to “spread food all over Ulster County” by filling up the shelves of local food pantries and to putting an end to hunger in our communities. The library that collects the highest number of food items during this period wins the Food Fight and receives a winners’ certificate! The Gardiner Library was crowned the “Food Fight Victor” in 2020 and is hoping to keep their title! Help your library win the Food Fight with your donations of non-perishable (and non-expired) food items for local food pantries. It sounds like a messy fight, but this is a clean competition with other libraries in Ulster County. Please contact your local library to find out if they are participating and how you can donate food items.Thanks for your help in this worthy fight!
The Great Give Back – Terracycle Program
October 16, 2021 – April 22, 2022
Each participating library will be collecting items for 3 different TerraCycle brigades: Colgate, Gillette and Nordstrom. Here’s what will be accepted:
Colgate:
All brands of used or empty toothpaste tubes and caps, toothbrushes, toothpaste cartons, toothbrush outer packaging, and floss containers. NOTE: Electric toothbrushes, battery toothbrushes, and/or their parts are not accepted through this program. Items collected will be delivered to Orange Community College to add to their ongoing TerraCycle collection program. Points earned for the collected items help support OCC students.
Gillette:
All brands of blades and razors (systems and disposable units, and replaceable-blade cartridge units), rigid plastic packaging, and flexible plastic bag packaging. Items collected will go to TerraCycle to be made into new products.
Nordstrom:
All brands of beauty product and skincare packaging, such as pump caps, hair spray triggers, lipstick cases, eyeliner pencils, and mascara tubes. Items collected will be dropped off at Nordstrom to be recycled into new products.
Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library
Great Give Back: Craft & Clutter Sale/ Donation Drive for Hi Tor/ Clothing Drive
Saturday, October 16
10:00 am-4:00 pm
For all ages
Craft & Clutter Sale! Are you Crafty? Do you have stuff you want to clear out? Great! HKDPL is looking for Vendors for our outdoor sale! Spots must be reserved in advance. $10 per spot, Vendors must bring their own table. All fees will be donated to the North Rockland Food Pantry.
For more information, please call 845.786.3800 x 18.
Join us for a day of giving by donating Gently Used clothing!
Hi Tor Donation Drive: Donate Supplies to benefit Hi Tor Animal Shelter.
We are also participating in the TerraCycle program with the Albert Wisner Public Library in Warwick, NY.
Hudson Valley SPCA Drive
Collecting dog and cat supplies for The Hudson Valley SPCA during the month of October (October 1- October 31) during library hours: Mon-Fri 10:30-4:30,Sat 10:30-12:30
Josephine-Louise Public Library
The Great Give Back: Humane Society of Walden and Terracycle
October 1-30
To assist JLPL’s participation in The Great Give Back this year, your help is needed in collecting items to send to TerraCycle, a national social initiative offering a variety of programs through which you can recycle nearly every type of waste, and donations from the Humane Society of Walden’s wish list. Copies of the item lists are available at the library. Any recyclable items and donations are greatly appreciated.
For more information, call the Library at (845) 778-7621, Ext. 1512.
TerraCycle Program
October 16 2021- April 22, 2022
Newburgh Free Library will participate in the TerraCycle program. This program will involve collecting typically nonrecyclable items and, with the help of leading manufacturers, turn them into new products. Registration is not required; open to all ages.
Newburgh Personal Care Drive
October 4-16
Accepting Donations of new and unopened toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, toilet paper, body wash, bar soap, and feminine hygiene products. Accepting donations at the Main Library and Town Branch. On Saturday, October 16th stop by and make a thinking of you card or a note of encouragement for a neighbor in need.
The Great Give Back–Sock Collection
October 1-31
Please donate new pairs of socks (for children and adults) during the month
of October for the United Way & Haverstraw Center.
A donation bin will be located in the lobby of the Bridge Entrance to the library. No registration or restrictions.
Collection for Center for Safety and Change
October 4-16
We are happy to be gathering personal items for the Center for Safety and Change. For over 40 years, this organization has worked tirelessly with victims, survivors and their family members, offering life-saving and life-changing programs and services to thousands in Rockland county.
Rail Trail Cleanup with Keep Rockland Beautiful
Sunday, October 17
1:00-4:00 pm
Meet at the trail head at Oak Tree Road at 1:00 pm
For all ages
Participate in the Great Giveback as the library teams up with Keep Rockland Beautiful to pick up trash from the Rail Trail. Meet at the trail head at Oak Tree Road and join us as we clean up along the trail to Memorial Park in Sparkill. All cleanup supplies will be provided. Teens may earn up to 3 community service hours for participation in this program. Pack a water bottle and meet at the trail head at 1 PM. See you there!
Register at www.palisadeslibrary.org.
Food Collection for St. Aedan’s Food Pantry
September 8 – October 16
We are collecting food items for the St. Aedan’s Food Pantry in Pearl River.
Support Small Animal Shelters!
August 18 – November 1
The Pine Bush Library will be collecting animal food, blankets, pillows, beds, food bowls, cleaning products, buckets, horse tack, newspapers and any associated animal and rescue facility supplies. (Please bring clean, unbroken items!)Donations for the Great Give Back should be brought to the Pine Bush Library no later than November1, 2021.
Monetary donations will be appreciated, as well. Please make checks out to: “The Pine Bush Area Public Library”. The funds will be distributed equally to the shelters we are working with.
Thank you in advance for supporting the smaller animal shelters and making a difference!
Food 4 Fines
October 1-31
From October 1st – 31st non-perishable food items and pet food may be donated in place of paying fines for overdue library materials. The library will forgive up to one dollar ($1) in fines for each item donated, up to the maximum fine limit of $10.
All food items collected will be donated to a Helping Hands food pantry and pet food items will be donated to the Humane Society of Port Jervis/Deerpark.
Food must be unopened, not damaged, and not past expiration date. Non-Perishable items only. Food will be accepted for LATE fines only! We will not accept food donations for payment of damaged or lost items.
If you don’t have fines, your donations are also welcome!
Food Drive
September 1 – October 15
The Suffern Free Library is hosting a food drive to benefit food pantries in the Suffern Central School District. We encourage everyone to help our community by donating non-expired non-perishable items in the receptacle in our main lobby. Don’t forget to think about kids when donating and include some lunch or snack items. Together we can make a difference! Anyone interested in donating grocery or monetary gift cards should contact Nancy Wendt at 845-357-1237, ext. 29 or by email at nwendt@rcls.org.
The Great Give Back Food Drive
October 1-18
The Valley Cottage Library will be hosting a food drive to benefit the St. Paul’s Food Cupboard in Valley Cottage.
Help the Food Cupboard create Thanksgiving food baskets for families by donating holiday food items like boxed stuffing mix, boxed instant mashed potatoes, canned yams/sweet potatoes, and canned vegetables. Other donations needed include: cereal, oatmeal, pasta, boxed macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, dry beans, rice, canned meats, canned fruit, and cooking oil in plastic bottles.
Donations of non-perishable, non-expired items can be dropped off at the library during operating hours. Thank you for your generosity!
TerraCycle Program
October 18 2021 – April 22, 2022
Valley Cottage Library is excited to be participating in the TerraCycle collection program! This program will involve collecting typically nonrecyclable items and, with the help of leading manufacturers, turning them into new products.
Drop off clean and empty: toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, plastic razors, make-up dispensers and more to the collection bins at the library during operating hours. Joined by several Rockland and Orange county libraries this is sure to make an impact!
Give a Kid a Book!
October 1 – November 1
The Valley Cottage Library Children’s Room will collect new, unused books to be given as gifts to children through local charities during the holidays.
Personal Care/Household Items Collection
September 17 – October 16
The Wallkill Public Library will be accepting donations of personal care and household items to be donated to the local food pantry from Friday, Sept. 17 through Saturday, Oct. 16 as part of the Great Give Back of 2021. A few examples of items being collected are: laundry detergent, dish soap, garbage bags, paper products. A few examples of personal care items are: deodorant, body wash/soap, toothpaste, women’s personal hygiene items. The collection is not limited to these items. Please stop in during normal business hours to drop off donations in our collection box. We appreciate your help!
Donation to the Center For Safety & Change
October 1-31
We are gathering a collection of much needed items such as clothing, toiletries and gift cards for food to donate to the Center for Safety & Change.
Please see our website for a complete “shopping list.” Donations can be dropped off at our three branches in Callicoon, Jeffersonville, and Narrowsburg.
Western Sullivan Public Library
Basic Needs Drive
October 1 – November 15
Collection of everyday essentials like toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, cleaning supplies, shampoo, etc. Donations will be distributed to local pantries.
Great Give Back Color a Placemat
October 16 – November 16
For students in grade 3-8
Participants can brighten up Thanksgiving Day for residents at a local nursing home by picking up a place mat, coloring it at home and returning it to the library to be laminated and distributed for the holiday. They can choose from three different place mat designs.
Registration is not required. All children in the Monroe-Woodbury school district including home schooled children are welcome to participate.