November / December 2011 Newsletter

435,411 books distributed to date

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We have much to be thankful for this year!

As we perch on the edge of 2012 and look back over the past year, it's amazing what we've been able to accomplish together on behalf of at-risk children. We've delivered two bags of quality books to more than 30,000 children in Chicagoland, enriching their lives and ensuring they have books to read in their homes. 

 

All told, we will have distributed nearly 350,000 quality books this year, doubling our output from 2010! We are on pace to double this number next year, and the year after that, putting us in position to achieve our goal of distributing 1 MILLION books per year by 2013.mj murphy kids

We could not have accomplished this without the help and support of so many! 

Daisies collectingTo our collection partners ... thank you to the Daisies, Scouts, schools, corporations, families, businesses and children who have brought their outgrown books to us. Your books are now being loved and enjoyed by many children, helping them become better readers and ready learners.

 

To our Book Drop Network Partners ... thank you for opening your businesses to us and making it easy for people to donate books to BBB. Your support is absolutely critical, and we can't thank you enough. 

volsTo our volunteers ... we can't say it enough, we love you! The time you've spent working in the warehouse and the office is invaluable to us. We thank you for being a part of our BBB family and hope you'll continue to help us as we grow to distribute 

1 MILLION books per year. 

 

To our financial supporters ... thank you for your investment in our mission and the children we serve. Every dollar you've donated has become a bag of six quality books for an at-risk child. We are dedicated to operating with a sense of urgency and professionalism while maintaining a focus on efficiency. We appreciate your continued support and strongly value your relationship with Bernie's Book Bank.

 

To our in-kind sponsors ... your donations have helped us serve 30,000+ children on a shoestring budget. From sending trucks to pick up large shipments of books, to providing warehouse space, BBB distribution bags or top-tier professional services, your support helps us grow our business without growing our expenses.

 

In This Issue
Our Sincere Thanks to All of You
Looking Forward to 2012
Thank You Letters from Kids
Kids for Kids Holiday Drive
Happy 2nd Birthday to BBB!
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Our Mission  

 

Bernie's Book Bank facilitates the collection, processing and redistribution of quality new & gently used children's books so as to significantly increase BOOK OWNERSHIP among at-risk infants, toddlers and school age children living throughout Chicagoland.

 

Our goal is to be distributing 1 MILLION books per year by 2013.

berniesbookbank.org

Distribution Update
Did you know that in the months of October and November alone, we distributed 85,141 quality books to at-risk children? 
Our Special Thanks
Bernie's Book Bank would like to recognize the following organizations and people that have provided specialized support in the past year. We are so thankful!

Zebra Technologies
United Services Disaster Reconstruction & Remodeling
Fast Signs of Gurnee
Big Bowl
Dave Knop
Russell Logistics
Federal Logistics
SWC Technology Partners
Office Concepts
Interior Investments
Howard Packaging
Grand Food Center
Sunset Foods
Wirtz Beverage
WISMA
Breaking News: BBB Granted $15,000 from Sun Shine Project!
THANK YOU for taking the time
to vote for BBB to receive a Sun Shine Grant from the Chicago Sun-Times Charity Trust! 
BBB Videos on You Tube

 

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Looking Forward to 2012
mj murphy boyOur goal for 2012 is to expand our program to reach more of Chicagoland's at-risk children through the collection, processing and distribution of 600,000 books. To accomplish this, we will: 
  • Broaden our pool of collection partners through the expansion of our Book Drop Network Partnership Program and the School Book Drive Program;
  • Increase the engagement of individuals and corporations by providing meaningful volunteer outreach opportunities; 
  • Continue to develop strategic partnerships with individuals and organizations that support our mission;
  • Enhance warehouse efficiency and output, and broaden our logistics capabilities;
  • And most important, as a result of these strategic improvements, continue adding distribution partners, bringing thousands more children into our program.
How can you help? Ask your local schools, scout troops, or book clubs to participate in collecting books. Schedule a corporate or group volunteer outing at our warehouse. Recommend a local business to become a book drop network partner. We welcome your support and your ideas. Contact us at [email protected]. Or stop in to see us!

A Special Thanks to You from BBB Kids 

Those of us who have been fortunate to grow up surrounded by books may be surprised at the

lets make a deal
Because of Bernie's Book Bank, these kids are talking about and trading books with each other. What a wonderful thing! 

overwhelming reactions we receive from the children we serve. 

 

We may take for granted that we've always had something to read, to entertain our minds and spark our imaginations. But for many children served by Bernie's Book Bank, our books are the only ones they've ever had - sometimes the only things they can call their own. What an amazing gift we are able to give them! 

 

We receive many thank you letters from the children we serve. These letters really belong to all of you who have supported us in so many ways this year. 

 

Please take a moment to share this with your children so that they will know the the lives they're changing through their donated books. Can't get enough? More thank you letters may be found at www.berniesbookbank.org/donation.

 

 

  thank you 2 

L. Woods Tap & Pine Lodge Kids for Kids Holiday Drive!
LWoods Holiday Gifts
L. Woods Tap and Pine Lodge is collecting books for Bernie's Book Bank as part of their Kids for Kids Holiday Drive this year.

To help make the holidays a little brighter and merrier for others, kids who bring in a new toy or book for a youngster will receive a complimentary dinner from the children's menu during that visit. Grown-ups are welcome to donate too! The donations will benefit the Christmas Elf Program and Bernie's Book Bank.

Every guest who donates will have his or her name entered in a drawing for a lunch or dinner each week of the 2012 at L. Woods, a $1,300 value!  

L. Woods Tap & Pine Lodge, 7110 N. Lincoln Avenue, Lincolnwood IL, 60712 
(847) 677-3350, 
www.lwoodsrestaurant.com.

 

We think you might agree, this time of year tends to make us reflect on where we've been, where we are, and where we are going. This month marks our two-year anniversary and it is hard to believe where we were just 24 months ago. A solid mission, a clear vision and a lot of hard work by hundreds of unbelievably inspiring people brought us to where we are today. 

 

However, though it is nice to contemplate our past accomplishments, it is the future and the incredible potential to positively impact so many lives that gets us excited! As you may know, our goal is to be distributing 1 MILLION books a year in Chicagoland by 2013 and then begin replicating our model in other major cities. As we continue to work with a sense of urgency and professionalism, and a steadfast focus on efficiency, we are confident we WILL reach our goals. 

 

We ask that you would seriously consider an investment this Holiday Season in the children we serve and the mission of Bernie's Book Bank.

 

Happy Holidays!

 

 

 

Brian's signature
Brian Floriani
Executive Director
Bernie's Book Bank
847-780 READ (7323)