Environmental Defenders of McHenry County thank volunteers

In November, the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County opened its second reused book store - The Green Read - at the heart of the county's population, Crystal Lake.

The Defender are grateful to all the volunteers who are making this new venture possible! The volunteers staff shifts at the store at 61 N. Williams St. and are vital to having its doors open six days a week now. Hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays.

In addition to great used books, The Green Read is now offering special events, story time, and has a new book club, "The Green Reader."

The volunteers include: Linda Bachar, Mary Erlenborn, Marianne Fontes, Fred Fortman, Janie Goodman, Sharon Gorski, Diane Greenman, Linda and Terry Gurgone, Mark Hankins, Lorene Henning, Pam Johnson, Nancy Loomis, Mary Lou Ludicky, Kristina Nemetz, Libby and Brian Pappalardo, Mary and Stan Perrin, Nancy Schietzelt, Catherine Veit, Janey Walters, and Mary Lee Wolf.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit mcdef.org/about-us/volunteer-opportunities.

With this shop, The Environmental Defenders is returning to its roots of Crystal Lake where its first office and employees set up camp in the 1970s. The Defenders' shop is in the midst of the busy and historic downtown district with restaurants, brewery, specialty stores, commuter train, bike path and more. Everyone is welcome to peruse a large variety of books and chat about the environment while giving the organization a "presence boost" as it heads into its 50th anniversary in 2020.

This new book store joins the other Environmental Defenders' locations, including its office and The Green Spot Reused Book Store on the historic Woodstock Square as well as its eight acres of land on Dean Street, also in Woodstock.

The organization is excited about the possibilities of broadening its reach geographically, much as its roaming recycling drives have done, by having a presence in downtown Crystal Lake.

It is hoped that the Environmental Defenders, founded in 1970 with the mission to preserve and protect the environment in McHenry County, will attract new members through this storefront while broadening the awareness of all that they do that benefits McHenry County.

For details, visit mcdef.org or www.facebook.com/EnvironmentalDefenders