We provide books to underserved communities, transforming lives through the power of literacy.
We provide books to underserved communities, transforming lives through the power of literacy.
We are a dedicated team of high school students from School for Advanced Studies (SAS) Wolfson Campus, along with an experienced board of advisors. Our mission is to creating lasting positive change in underserved communities by increasing literacy through access to reading materials.
Our vision is to ignite change by bridging the literacy gap in underserved communities through the provision of books. We believe that access to literature has the potential to transform lives, empowering individuals with knowledge and opportunities for a brighter future.
Cleia Ambrozio is a seasoned entrepreneur and business manager with experience at Agropec Trading in the US, Aquamarina Jewelry, and Agromatao in Brazil. She also acted as brand ambassador for the largest hospital in the Mid-West region of Brazil leading several fund-raising campaigns to rebuild the Pediatric ICU. The funds supported an a
Cleia Ambrozio is a seasoned entrepreneur and business manager with experience at Agropec Trading in the US, Aquamarina Jewelry, and Agromatao in Brazil. She also acted as brand ambassador for the largest hospital in the Mid-West region of Brazil leading several fund-raising campaigns to rebuild the Pediatric ICU. The funds supported an additional 70 beds in the pediatric unit and bought a new ambulance for the hospital. She is also the founder and executive vice president of Anjos da Guarda (Guardian Angels), a not-for-profit organization to help provide infrastructure needs from local hospitals and orphanages. She raised $300 thousand in the first two years of operations.
Renata Ribeiro is a global multi-cultural executive with experience in guest experience, innovation, strategy, international expansion, global operations. Renata has a combination of 16 years in Travel and Tourism with Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL) and 10 years in management consulting with the Boston Consulting Group and Strategy & Co
Renata Ribeiro is a global multi-cultural executive with experience in guest experience, innovation, strategy, international expansion, global operations. Renata has a combination of 16 years in Travel and Tourism with Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL) and 10 years in management consulting with the Boston Consulting Group and Strategy & Co. Renata serves as a Board Member for Ashtead Group plc (LSE: AHT), a FTSE 100 high-growth leader in equipment rentals, operating in the US, UK and Canada. Renata earned her MBA from the Wake Forest University School of Business, and she has a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Fundacao Getulio Vargas in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She has been involved with Books Over Seas since its inception and is very passionate about improving literacy in the world.
Cristina Avello is a philanthropist dedicated to finding solutions that make tangible impacts on the community at large. She is both an attorney and a CPA with a Bachelor's from Tulane University, an MBA from the University of Miami, and a J.D. from Duke University. Through her extensive education and practice in these fields of business,
Cristina Avello is a philanthropist dedicated to finding solutions that make tangible impacts on the community at large. She is both an attorney and a CPA with a Bachelor's from Tulane University, an MBA from the University of Miami, and a J.D. from Duke University. Through her extensive education and practice in these fields of business, she brings a unique blend of knowledge to the table which provide valuable legal, tax, and financial expertise to the organization. Cristina is currently a board member of the Georgia Tech Philanthropy Council and the University of Florida Philanthropic Council. She was an original board member for Books Over Seas and believes the charity's mission to improve literacy is an important and impactful one.
Books Over Seas continues its mission to bring compassion and literacy to underprivileged communities. On March 9, 2024, Alejandra Sammataro, the charity’s Collegiate Ambassador, singlehandedly spearheaded a mission to the Grand Bahamas Children’s Home. As part of a new outreach initiative Alejandra started that we call "Care Missions," she planned a project to give each of the children residing at the home new backpacks filled with toiletries, essentials, toys - and of course books. The child minders who care for the children were also given gift bags.. Alejandra is a recent graduate of School for Advanced Studies (SAS) in Miami and a current finance major and Honor's Student at the University of Florida’s Warrington School of Business. Alejandra was accompanied by Federico Sammataro, a senior at SAS, who helped give the presents as well as the sports equipment that Books Over Seas donated to the home. The team along with Marcos Gomes, another SAS junior, and parents Cristina Sammataro and Renata Ribeiro also donated bags filled with clothes to meet the clothing needs of the children and, of course, books to fill their on-site library.
For over 40 years, the Grand Bahama Children’s Home has been the safe haven for children who have been victims of abuse or neglect. Books Over Seas donated backpacks filled with bath towels, washcloths, toothbrushes, nail kits, water bottles, hairbrushes, toys, frisbees, crayons, coloring books, journals, and a book for each child.
In addition to this mission trip, this month the organization was fortunate to receive over fifteen hundred books from the estate of Joanna Goldmanask. Those books have all been donated to the Sir Charles Haywood Memorial Library in the Bahamas thanks to the generosity of Sunbelt Rentals who paid for their transport to the library. Further, next month over twelve hundred books are being personally delivered to the Jamaican Library System in Montego Bay, marking nearly four thousand books donated in the first half of 2024!
Thank you Islander News for helping us spread the word about our work and special thanks to the Key Biscayne Community for the precious donations, including Key Biscayne Tennis Association members #kbta and Key Biscayne Presbyterian Church School.
Thank you Mr. Dotres for the recognition of our initiative. We appreciate the support from MDCPS and SAS @MDCPS @SASWhiteTigers
Huge thanks to Ms. Cheryl Black from Sunbelt Rentals for the logistics support to deliver the donation. She is pictured here with Ms. June Hutcheson, Executive Director of the Grand Bahama Children’s Home.
“Dear BooksOverSeas team — thank you for all your support and time. Small communities like ours benefit greatly from such generosity and goodwill. Marcos, Alex and Federico are leaders in the making and I look forward to hearing about the paths they choose to tread as they move through life. I hope you made it home safely and thanks to all of you again for all the hard work. My best Rupert"
“Dear BooksOverSeas Team - It was a wonderful visit and hugely appreciated. We and the Library and children are so grateful. Marcos, Federico and Alex are amazing. See you again soon."
"Thank you Books OverSeas!! It was lovely meeting everyone and getting the opportunity to thank Marcos, Alex, and Federico personally for all their hard work. I’m seriously impressed by their commitment and dedication. Thank you all SO much also for coming to see The Children’s Home and for spending the time playing with the boys - I don’
"Thank you Books OverSeas!! It was lovely meeting everyone and getting the opportunity to thank Marcos, Alex, and Federico personally for all their hard work. I’m seriously impressed by their commitment and dedication. Thank you all SO much also for coming to see The Children’s Home and for spending the time playing with the boys - I don’t think they’re going to forget their football game in the dark!! See you all very soon, I hope."
“What a wonderful opportunity to have three young men choose to come to The Grand Bahama Children’s Home to spend some quality time engaged with our children. These young men, only slightly older than some of the residents at GBCH, came bringing books, treats and an eagerness to find out about the Home, how Dorian affected the children and how they could support. After a brief information session, these young men accompanied by their chaperones, did what all children love to do – played games. What was so special was that they engaged all of our boys, whether puzzles, board games and even outside play such as tossing a football. Our boys were so thrilled to interact with Marcos, Federico and Alex and at the end of the visit invited them to come back to visit. It is truly amazing how far a little kindness and time well spent goes. I am always inspired by the genuine goodness of those that choose to visit with us. It sends the message to our children that people even outside our community and in other countries care enough to come by and spend time with no expectation in return. It was truly a blessing to have had these junior high young men, founders of Books Over Seas here at the Grand Bahama Children’s Home and we look forward to the continued connection we have established continuing. Our sincere thanks and we wish them all the best in their pursuits. For more information on the Grand Bahama Children’s Home please visit https://www.gbchildrenshome.org/"
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and fund our mission.
At this time, we are only able to accept book contributions from individuals and organizations within the Miami area. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate shipping arrangements for donations. Your local support is crucial in helping us make a meaningful impact.
We are also accepting Monetary donations as well that will go towards book acquisitions and infrastructure to make books available to the people who need them most. Currently, we only accept donations through Paypal and Venmo though we are working on adding more payment methods. We appreciate all donations.
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