Whitmore Agency CEO James C. Metzger and Bruderman Asset Management Chairman Matthew J. Bruderman have both been doing for many years. The latest nonprofit that the Long Island business leaders are lending a hand to is The Book Fairies, a Freeport-based organization founded by Amy Zaslansky in 2012 as a solution for teachers who were spending their own money to buy books for students without home libraries. Metzger and Bruderman are making a significant monetary donation to The Book Fairies as part of a three-year pledge. They recently presented the initial check to the organization. The mission of The Book Fairies is to collect reading materials for people in need throughout metropolitan New York. \u201cThose reading materials foster literacy and academic success, provide a respite from personal struggles, and nurture a love of reading across age groups,\u201d according to the organization. \u201cFor too long we had been existing as an almost all-volunteer operation, distributing almost 3 million books, without focusing on fundraising \u2014 and that formula is not sustainable,\u201d according to Eileen Minogue, executive director of The Book Fairies. \u201cAs an organization we decided two years ago to work towards sustainability and scaling,\u201d she said, adding, \u201cThis donation from Jim and Matt enables us to to better fill the needs of those we serve by building on our infrastructure, hire additional support staff, and increase efficiency. We are so grateful for their investment in our mission, both financially and via their strategic ideas. Their desire to merge purpose with their daily business life if refreshing and inspiring.\u201d The Book Fairies is \u201cgoing to build out our monthly Community Book Fairs where we open our warehouse to educators who can take as many books as they need,\u201d she said. It also has unique projects it started that she noted \u201cwill bring books directly into the communities, such as a pilot program with the Suffolk and Nassau County Police Departments and food distribution organizations.\u201d Metzger and Bruderman recently spoke with us about why they decided to donate to The Book Fairies, why philanthropy is so important to them, and more. Why is your philanthropic work so important to you and what kind of organizations have you supported in the past? James Metzger: I have been very fortunate in my life and am in a position to give back. I\u2019m very involved with athletics at my alma maters Half Hollow Hills High School and Hofstra University, as well as St. Anthony\u2019s High School, which I\u2019m closely aligned with. And then I often get involved with my clients\u2019 communities. It\u2019s a win-win-win. It helps my clients, the community and I think it strengthens The Whitmore Agency’s brand. To involve ourselves in that way helps create a positive image. It feels good to be involved with an organization like The Book Fairies. I think the money is going right where you want it to. I think they\u2019re doing great work and I\u2019m happy and \u201cIt\u2019s extremely valuable and it\u2019s changing young peoples\u2019 lives,\u201d says Jim Metzger.<\/p>\n