He’s collected more than 8,000 books for Marines overseas
SMC — For Rich Robinson, it’s not about whether the fighting in Iraq is right or wrong.
The 64-year-old geology professor at Santa Monica College has knocked on neighbors’ doors, hit up businesses, students and fellow teachers. His message is simple. He wants books.
Robinson has collected more than 8,000 paperbacks to send overseas to Marines.
“They’re fiction,” said Robinson, an Army/ROTC graduate who’s taught at SMC for 34 years. “Techno thrillers, the Clancys — all that kind of stuff. Murder mysteries, romance novels. Just good, relaxing stuff.”
Robinson said he worked day and night for a month collecting books. The outpouring of support has been overwhelming, added Robinson, who sent personal thank you notes to every named donor. To the larger donors, Robinson sent bottles of champagne.
“People just really opened up their hearts to the Marines,” Robinson said. “Everybody kept saying, ‘This is such a great thing you’re doing.’ I never did it for fame, glory, recognition... I think if we all had one wish, it would be that we have them come home quickly and safely.”
As a former military man, Robinson said he has an affinity for the armed forces. “If we’re going to fight a war, we should win it,” he said. However, that isn’t the point of the book drive.
“These brave men and women are caught in the middle and they need our help, regardless of how you feel about the war,” he said.
Robinson has knocked on more than 150 doors near his home in Calabasas, and hit up another 100 merchants. He picked up books in schools, temples, the local sheriff's station and libraries. Drop-off bins were set up at SMC, in front of his home and elsewhere.
Now the books are boxed and sitting in a storeroom at SMC until a military unit is sent from Camp Pendleton to pick them up next week. He figures the block of boxed books weighs a couple of tons. It measures 15 feet long, by 3 feet wide and stands about 4 1/2 feet tall.
Anyone wishing to donate books — paperbacks only — can drop them off today or Tuesday at the Daily Press offices (1427 Third Street Promenade, Ste. 202). The office will be closed during the holiday weekend. Larger donors can call Robinson and he will pick up their books. His phone number is (310) 434-4731.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 28, 2004. Read the original PDF.