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JUNE 2015
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4,076,658 books distributed since December 2009!
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4 MILLION BOOKS & COUNTING
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We are celebrating more than 4 MILLION quality books collected, processed and distributed to at-risk children throughout Chicagoland since December 2009!
Our next big goal is to move into a larger facility very soon where we can collect, process and distribute 4 MILLION quality books PER YEAR by 2016 - stay tuned in the coming weeks for more details about how we WILL achieve this big goal!
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We are so excited to be a part of the Chicago Mayor's Office "Rahm's Readers" program. This program challenges Chicago's children to read 20 minutes a day and a total of 70 million minutes this summer. We will be providing 12 books to each child that needs books to meet this challenge and prevent "summer slide".
We are honored to join an exciting list of partners this year:
- Chicago Public Library
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Adler Planetarium
- Chicago Public Schools
- Chicago Park District
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Our Mission
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Bernie's Book Bank collects, 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.
We have distributed over 4 MILLION books since December 2009 and now serve more than 110,000 at-risk children annually.
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Our Goal
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To collect, process and distribute 4 MILLION books per year, serving all estimated 400,000 at-risk children in the Chicagoland area with 12 quality books per year by 2016.
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Watch Our Video
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Bernie's Book Bank Distribution Video
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DO YOU LOVE A PARADE? WHAT ABOUT A FAIR OR FESTIVAL?
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We have several exciting volunteer opportunities this summer that allow you to get outside, enjoy the festivities AND help spread awareness for Bernie's Book Bank! Families welcome!
| Date: | Location: | Volunteers needed to: | | July 4 | Lake Bluff 4th of July Parade | smile, wave, walk in the parade and distribute materials | | July 4 | Vernon Hills 4th of July Parade | join Park District campers to walk in the parade and distribute materials
| | August 8-9 | Gurnee Days | help host Bernie's Book Bank booth - distribute materials and share our mission with attendees
| | September 3-7 | Buffalo Grove Days | help host Bernie's Book Bank booth - distribute materials and share our mission with attendees
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FAMILY 5,000 CLUB SUCCESS
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The Gaden Family with 3,600 books!
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The Family 5,000 Club is a free, summer service project the whole family can do together. We give you the tools and you work together to collect 5,000 books. Think it may sound too hard?
Meet The Gaden Family of Mt. Prospect. They have already collected more than 3,600 books!
"Our project is entitled Alarese's Birthday Wish because we volunteered right around her 5th birthday and she was the driving force behind our decision to challenge ourselves. 5,000 books to celebrate turning 5 was a perfect fit.
I asked her why she loves Bernie's Book Bank so much and this is what she said: "I love books and I want the kids to have books to love, too." She loves seeing copies of her favorites (Junie B. Jones, Pixie Hollow and Arthur) being donated so some boy or girl will have the same book as her."
The Gaden Family shared some great advice on how to be successful:
- "We asked every friend and family member we know to help via face-to-face conversation, Facebook, e-mail, etc. We are very blessed with a supportive network of people who were more than willing to help, but we were surprised at how fast they told others and before we knew it, the books started piling up!"
- "We clearly communicate what our goal is whenever the opportunity arises! We stopped at a resale shop and we were able to share Bernie's Book Bank's mission, recruit future volunteers, AND get books at a discounted rate. They also took our information so if they get an overflow of books, we can go and see what has been delivered."
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Dear fellow Berniacs,
WOW!
4 MILLION, that's a lot of books!
On behalf of the children we serve, our Board of Directors and our team at Bernie's Book Bank, thank YOU.
Summer is finally here to stay which is definitely worth celebrating.
However, what makes Bernie's Book Bank HOT is that many at-risk Chicagoland children will experience a summer slide academically, especially in reading.
Never fear, Bernie's Book Bank is here!
Bernie's Book Bank plans to distribute more than 400,000 quality children's books to at-risk children all over Chicagoland throughout this summer.
Happy June AND Go Blackhawks!!!!
Brian Floriani
Founder & Executive Director
847-780-READ (7323)
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