As part of the group’s Let’s Get This Foundation, the band New Kids on the Block collects new books for ages preschool to about third grade. In St. Louis last night (July 1) for a concert, it donated 800 books for St. Louis children, says Mary Hoffman, president of Altrusa International of St. Louis.

The service organization plans to give the books to children of Hope House and St. Martha’s Hall.

Hoffman says: “The fans that come to the concerts along the tour donate these new books. New Kids donates the books collected to an organization in the next town that they tour.  I believe our books came from the Philadelphia concert held the night before and books that were collected from the St Louis concert last night will be donated in the next town on the tour.  Altrusa was referred to them by First Book.”

Altrusa’s St. Louis chapter was organized in 1936. Its focus is on community service with an emphasis on literacy.