Move Those Books!
Petty Officer Third Class Greg Seufer, a boatswain mate stationed at Maritime Safety and Security Team 91105, volunteered some of his time Nov 7, 2006 to help organize the more than 100,000 books being distributed to low income families from Coast Guard Integrated Support Command, Alameda, Calif.  U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer Mariana O'Leary.

Highly Recommended
Petty Officer 1st Class Fayth Timmons and Chief Petty Officer Samuel Nault of Integrated Support Command Alameda Comptroller Division, hold up examples of some of the children's books they are helping to distribute, Nov. 7, 2006, to low income families as part of the First Book Program.  U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Mariana O'Leary.

At first glance it looks like some sort of chaotic military moving day has taken over the giant warehouse at Integrated Support Command (ISC) Alameda.  Coast Guard commanders and seaman alike mix with teachers and other volunteers who dodge forklifts and pallets while hefting box after dusty box.  Amid the huge stacks of boxes an occasional shout can be heard... "Where's the Bubble Bath Book?" and "I found Clifford The Big Red Dog!"
     Although it is a sort of moving day, there is definite order to the chaos.  For three days these volunteers will move over 100,000 books through the Comptroller Division warehouse at ISC Alameda on Coast Guard Island in an effort to supply low-income families with children's books.  In some cases, they may be helping a family give their child their very first book. 
    For the past three years volunteers at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Calif., have teamed up with First Book National Book Bank organization to distribute the books and in doing so have provided over 300,000 books to date for families in need.  "These books will go to children from low income families in the Bay Area as well as throughout the United States," said jenny Wrenn, Director of First Book National Book Bank.
    Chief Petty Officer Samuel Nault, the property officer and warehouse supervisor of ISC Alameda Comptroller Division has helped organize Coast Guard volunteers for the project and is now wading through stack after stack of boxes filled with children's books.  "We've provided annual storage space in the amount of 2,100 square feet of warehouse floor for over 100,000 books this year," said Nault.  "For the past three years ISC has sponsored the "First Book Drive and during that time volunteers help pick, pack and redistribute books to low-income families and communities nationwide giving children the opportunity to have their "First Book", said Nault.