The American Federation of Teachers New Jersey (AFTNJ) is partnering with the Raritan Bay Area YMCA, 357 New Brunswick Ave. in Perth Amboy, for an event offering free COVID-19 vaccines and educational books to city residents.

From 3-6 p.m. on Aug. 11, community members ages 12 and older who visit the Raritan Bay Area YMCA and receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on site can select a complimentary book of choice (while supplies last) courtesy of the AFTNJ and the Perth Amboy Federation.

“Being part of this community activity is very close to my heart,” said AFTNJ President Donna M. Chiera. “Perth Amboy is my hometown, I taught there for 33 years, and I was president of the Perth Amboy Federation for 23 of them. Educators and school staff are stepping up and doing whatever they can so kids can not only return to schools safely in September but stay in schools without them closing. And anytime you can combine school safety, community engagement and literacy, that’s a home run.”

“When schools reopen in the fall, we want them to stay open, so having eligible students vaccinated will help make that happen,” said Perth Amboy Federation President Pat Paradiso, a longtime teacher in the district.

This event is part of the AFT’s Back to School for All initiative, a 30-state campaign featuring vaccine clinics, book fairs and other efforts to engage families, students, educators and school staff in returning to full-time, in-person learning for the 2021-22 academic year.