Suffolk County Public Libraries
Below are libraries from Suffolk County that will be participating in The Great Give Back 2023! Check back often for updates; details about programs will begin to be shared around the beginning of September. Please contact libraries directly for questions regarding offered programming.
Bay Shore-Brightwaters Public Library
The Great Giveback
October 1st 10am to 4pm
All ages with adult
The mission of The Great Giveback is to provide a day of opportunities for patrons of Suffolk County libraries to participate in meaningful, service-oriented experiences. Drop by the Children’s Department between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm to take part in a variety of community service activities.
No registration required.
Donate Items for Those in Need
September 1 through October 14
All ages
Donations accepted September 1 -October 14. Kits for Care assemble on October 14, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. Drop off toiletries (bandages, wet wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.), small non-perishable food items, socks, gloves and/or water bottles. Items will be used to make personal care kits for those in need.
Registration not required
Paws of War
September 1 through October 14
All ages
Paws of War trains and places shelter dogs to serve and provide independence to our U.S. military veterans suffering from the emotional effects of war. Donations of food, leashes, toys, and any supplies for cats or dogs.
Registration not required
Community Clean-up
October 21 at 9:00 AM
All ages
The Brookhaven Village Association and BFL are teaming up to help keep our local streets clean. Meet at the library; all supplies will be provided and participants will be invited to meet back at the library for a thank you brunch at 11:00 AM.
Registration not required
Letters of Encourgement
October 1st
All ages
Throughout the month of October, we will be collecting letters, cards, postcards and/or drawings that we will distribute to various organizations that will get them to individuals who could use a smile. Patrons can choose to write to a senior in Islandia Arbors West Nursing Home, a parent or baby in Stony Brook Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or to military troops serving overseas. We will provide our patrons with some materials to help them create letters. They can return their finished creations to the library by November 1st and we will take care of distributing them. We hope our community will join us in making the day brighter for someone who could use a little encouragement
Regisstration not required
Drop-In Community Service Event
October 21st 2pm to 4pm
Grades 6th to 12th
Stop by the Library to participate in a variety of community service projects that will help benefit different organizations in your community! A maximum of two community service hours may be earned.
Participants must attend for at least one hour and be a Commack School District student to receive community service credit. No registration required.
Volunteer Fair
October 17th 4 to 6pm
Adults/Teens
Representatives from organizations will discuss local opportunities for a variety of ages.
No registration required
Crochet Worry Worm
September 21st 7pm
Adult
Bring your favorite yarn and crochet hook to this fun class, where Aimee Saccio will show you how to make Worry Worms. Designed to be a worry and/or secret keeper, they will be bagged with a little note (to be provided) and donated to the Children & Family Services Department to brighten up a child’s day.
No registration required
Pet Supplies Donation Drive
October 20th 9am to 5pm
All ages
Adult Services is collecting puppy food, wee-wee pads, dog beds, non-rawhide treats, wet and dry adult dog food, wet and dry cat food. These supplies will be donated to Paws of War.
No registration required
Coat Drive
October 21st 9am to 5pm
All ages
Adult Services is collecting clean, gently used winter coats for persons of all ages. These coats will be donated to the Town of Islip Youth Bureau for distribution to those in need in our area.
No registration required
Cell Phone Donation Drive
October 21st 9am to 5pm
All ages
The Learning Commons is collecting used cell phones. These cell phones will be donated to 911 Cellphone Bank, which erases the devices and dispenses them to law enforcement and victims’ agencies to distribute to victims of human trafficking and domestic violence.
No registration required
Diaper Donation Drive
October 21st 9am to 5pm
All ages
Children & Family Services is collecting NEW packages of baby diapers. These essentials will be donated to Angels of LI and distributed to families in need.
No registration required
No-Sew Blankets
October 21st 10am to 11am
Teens
Join us in giving back by creating no-sew blankets that will be donated to CancerCare as part of their Share the Warmth program.
No registration required, district residents only.
Stars of HOPE
October 21st 9am to 4pm
All ages
Stars of HOPE is a non-profit organization that offers therapeutic art to communities impacted by natural or human-caused disasters. The goal of the program is to encourage hoe and help survivors focus on emotional wellness through the creation of stars. Please join us in the Children & Family Services Department to decorate a wooden star that will used to encourage hope for those who need throughout our country. While supplies last.
No registration required
Birthday Donation Drive
September 1 to October 31st
All ages
Celebrate the Great Give Back in our all-things birthday donation drive to help families in need. We will be accepting small new toys, blank birthday cards, wrapping paper cake mix, icing, etc. All birthday bags will be donated to local elementary schools.
No registration required
Pet Food Drive
September 1 to October 31st
All ages
Join us as we celebrate the Great Give Back by helping animals in need during our Pet Food Drive. Bring a donation of dog/cat food or treat to benefit the Babylon Animal Shelter.
No registration required
Children’s Halloween Costume Drive
September 3rd to October 14th
All ages
Our Copiague teens will be collecting new or gently used costumes to be distributed just in time for Halloween! Come down to the Library anytime to donate your child’s previous Halloween or dance recital costumes any time to the Children’s Room for our Kid’s Costume Drive on Saturday, October 14 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM.
No registration required
Kid’s Pajama Drive
September 5th to November 30th
All ages
Every child should have the opportunity to celebrate Pajama Day! The Library will be accepting new pajamas to be donated to families in need starting September 5. Pajamas ranging in size 0 to children’s size 18 will be accepted.
Cuts For Kids
September 5th 12 to 3pm
K – 5th Grade
Strong Island Barber Shop of Copiague will be at the Library to provide free haircuts for the first day of school for elementary age students. Cuts will be given in the order of registration.
Registration is required
Car Wash
October 7
Teens
Give back to the community in our first ever volunteer car wash. Join us in the back parking lot as we clean up the neighborhood one car at a time. Dress appropriately.
To participate, a Copiague Library card is required.
Teen Chance Auction Volunteers
October 21st
Teens
Join the Friends of the Library in their annual Chance Auction to assist with setting up and bringing winners their prizes.
Registration begins on Wednesday, August 30 at 10:30 AM. Please contact the library at (631) 691-1111.
Repair Cafe
November 4
Adults
Have a small household item in need of repair? Don’t throw it away! Come down to the library for our annual Repair Café! Volunteers from Starflower Experience and our own local repairers will try to repair your lamp, radio, clock, small appliances, electronics, jewelry, and clothing.
Registration required. Please call the library at (631) 691-1111 to register.
Cutchogue-New Suffolk Free Library
Emma S. Clark Memorial Library
Pet Supplies Drive
October 2nd
All ages
Emma Clark Library is collecting new pet supplies (food, blankets, leashes, cleaning supplies, etc.) in the Library lobby to be donated to local organizations that help pets in need. All are welcome to donate (residents or non-residents) during Library hours.
No registration required
Dog or Cat Toy “Take & Make”
September 18th to October 21st
Grades 3-6
Create a dog or cat toy at home and earn 1 hour of community service credit. Register starting September 18 to reserve your Cat Kit OR Dog Kit at emmaclark.org/programs. Then come and pick it up! Return it to the Children’s Library by Saturday, October 21, and we’ll donate them to a local animal shelter. One dog or cat kit per child, please.
This “Take & Make” community service program is open to Three Village residents only.
Knotted Fleece Blankets for Pets in Need (“Take & Make”)
October 2nd – October 6th
Grades 7 – 12 Pick up the kits Monday, October 2 through Friday, October 6. Instructions to make the blankets will be provided via email. Two hours of community service credit will be earned upon return of the completed project.
This community service program is open to Three Village residents only. Registration is required. Go to emmaclark.org/programs to reserve your “Knotted Fleece Blankets for Pets in Need” kit now. “
Travel-sized Toiletry Drive
October 1st to October 31st
All ages
We will be collecting donations of travel-size toiletries such as: baby wipes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, gallon Ziploc Bags, Hand-warmers, Band-aids and hand sanitizer.
No registration required
Sock Drive
October 1 to October 21st
Adult
Adult services will be collecting socks for this year’s Great Give Back! Please drop off new items at the library, donation box will be at the reference desk from October 1st- October 21st.
No Registration require
Main Street Clean Up with BVIS
October 21st 10am to 11am
All ages
We are partnering up with the Bridgehampton Village Improvement Society to help clean up Main Street after a very busy summer! Meet us on the Library front lawn. Community service hours will be awarded to those who participate. Gloves and bags will be provided.
Registration is encouraged but not required
DIY Pet Toys
October 25th 3:30 to 4:30pm
Teens
Create cute dog and cat toys to be donated to our local animal shelter.
District Residents Only
The Great Give Back Community Yard Sale
October 21st from 10am to 3pm
All ages
The Islip Public Library will be hosting the “Great Give Back” on Saturday, October 21st with a Community Yard Sale, along with “Causes For Kids” hosting a coffee bar, which solely runs on donations. The library will also be hosting a drive all month long, collecting wrapping paper for the “Birthday Wishes Organization” as well as food for the pantry at St. Patrick’s Church in Bayshore.
No registration required
If you would like to have a table at our yard sale, the cost is $10 per Islip cardholder, and $25 for out-of-district cardholders. If interested, please contact Kelly Harvey at kharvey@isliplibrary.org.
School and Office Supplies Donation & Swap Shop
October 21st 10am to 2pm
All ages
Join us for this celebration of the Statewide Library Initiative “The Great Giveback,” a day where libraries around the state engage in acts of service. Donate new or gently used school and office supplies by dropping off items in our lobby from October 2 to October 18. Come back to “shop” the swap on the day of the Great Giveback. All items remaining after the swap will be donated to local nonprofit organizations.
No registration required
The Great Give Back 2023
October 1st to October 31st
All ages
Toiletries Drive to be donated to CAST.
No registration required
Northport-East Northport Public Library
Halloween Costume Swap
October 14 11am to 1pm
Babies to teens
Donate your clean, gently used costume from Sept 11th – Oct 11th. Pick out your perfect costume on October 14th during The Great Give Back: Halloween Costume Swap Event at Fall Fest. Please drop off costumes in either donation box; located in front of the Public Service Desk or in the Children’s Department.
No registration required.
Winter Coat Donation
October 21st 9:30am to 5pm
All ages
The library will be collecting new and gently used coats, hats, mittens, and gloves which will be donated to local families in need. Drop off items in either the Family or Teen Departments and create a card for a hospitalized child while you are here. Cards will be mailed to children in hospitals all around the country. All teens who participate will receive an hour of community service.
No registration required
South Huntington Public Library
American Bluebird Houses
October 14th 10:30am to 11:30am
Grades 2-6
Give back to our small feathered friends by creating a cozy home for them to nest in by next Spring!
Registration Required
Make a Baby Bib to donate
October 14th 10am to 12pm
All ages
Give back to new mothers by using Cricut-inspired designs to decorate and create adorable baby bibs. Bibs will be donated to various local organizations and hospital maternity wards.
No registration
The Great Give Back
October 21st 11am to 2pm
Join us as we “give back” to our community. It’s a day full of creating community connections, but all month long. We will have human & pet food drives, garden harvest table, craft tables, MuttiGrees activities, and much more.
Great Give Back 2023 Harvest Table
October 1st to October 30th
From the WBPL Community Garden to your table. When all the hard work pays off and we can enjoy the fruits of our labor. Stop in anytime during the month of October to pick from our Harvest Table. Don’t forget to save the seeds to keep the seed library growing!
Suffolk County Police Department K9 Unit Demonstration
October 21 11 am-12 pm
All ages up to Grade 12
With caregiver Canine officers and their four-legged partners are critical to the SCPD. Learn about all their training, job duties, and what they do when they aren’t busy with police work.
West Islip Public Library
Trunk or Treat
October 15 to Oct 21st 10am to 3pm
12 -18
We are collecting donations for the Bide a Wee and Gloves, hats and socks during Trunk or Treat. They can also help set up for Trunk or Treat.
No registration required
Click here to view past GGB events from Suffolk County Public Libraries.