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DC-area universities raise money to give away 20,000 books

SPRINGFIELD, Va.— Piles of new books were stacked high inside the Robert E. Lee High School cafeteria Saturday, as part of a 20,000 book giveaway.

David Perez, 7, showed off his two new prized possessions, an Avengers and Star Wars book. “It’s like a treasure hunt for him, he doesn’t even know where to start or where to finish,” said his mother, Arni Perez.

The 20,000 book giveaway was organized by the Pi Beta Phi fraternity for women. Spokeswoman Julie Carney said they are holding five different events like this around the country, the product of months of fundraising by the sorority and its alumni.

“It’s absolutely rewarding. Anytime you see a child come in and immerse themselves in a book, watch their faces light up and smile makes it absolutely worth it,” said Carney.

Women in Pi Beta Phi chapters of George Washington University, George Mason University, Johns Hopkins and University of Delaware helped fundraise for the giveaway.

Books were distributed to 300 children and 126 organizations.

Super Pet Expo offers its first in-person event in Virginia since pandemic began

A Virginia pet expo running through Sunday is hoping to help those who recently got new pets to find what they need. Eric Udler, producer of the Super Pet Expo at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, said that there has been a significant increase in pets being adopted with so many people working from home.
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