This post is going to be a little different – all about a very worthy local charity. Sue and I volunteered today at Bernie’s Book Bank. She found Bernie’s several months ago and has been trying to convince me to volunteer ever since – thinking it was something that might have meaning for me. We finally made it today and – as is almost always the case – my wife turns out to be the wiser half of this partnership. It was time well spent and I’m sure this won’t be a one and done for us.
It’s easy for most of us to take the presence or possession of books and the ability to read at will for granted. For far too many children, however, that simply doesn’t reflect reality. According to the “Handbook of Early Literacy” by Susan B. Neuman and David K. Dickerson, “In middle-income neighborhoods, the ratio of books per child is 13 to 1, in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio is 1 age-appropriate book for every 300 children. Bernie’s was founded to help address this problem.
BERNIE’S BOOK BANK MISSION
Bernie’s Book Bank sources, processes and distributes quality new and gently used children’s books to significantly increase book ownership among at-risk infants, toddlers and school-age children throughout Chicagoland.
It’s a great facility – located in Lake Bluff, IL – with a great group of local supporters.
Bernie’s receives donations of new and gently used books appropriate for children 12 years old and younger. They repackage and distribute these books through community and school programs to participating children twice a year – with the intention of helping those children build their own small libraries over time. Sue and I worked with a group of about 20 volunteers – mostly parents and their children – to sort, sticker, bag and box books for distribution.
It’s an impressive organization with an impressive staff and – as someone who’s always considered books and the opportunity to read to be a cornerstone of a healthy and happy and meaningful life – it’s extremely hard – once exposed – not to want to help. For anyone living in Chicagoland who values the written word and the role that books and reading has played in your life, please give this a look and consider becoming involved. If you’re not close enough to volunteer, Bernie’s would welcome a contribution – either financial or in kind.
Those of us who have raised a family almost certainly have a box of well loved children’s books somewhere in the house. It’s easy to hold onto them – valuing the memories they represent but I’d bet that if you had the discussion with your children – they’d be the first to tell you to put them to good use by donating them to a place like Bernie’s. They’ll be far more valuable in the hands of someone who wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to read than they are collecting dust in the basement.
Overall, a very good day – and here’s one final picture – one that both my wife and I really loved.
It’s a quote from the founder that left us both smiling. Sue laughed and couldn’t help pointing out that Bernie and I would likely have gotten just fine.
Thanks to everyone at Bernie’s for a great day and for working so hard to serve a simple cause that can’t help but make a big difference.
Here’s a link to Bernie’s site for anyone who wants to learn more.
https://www.berniesbookbank.org/