According to Book Drive for Kids’ Co-Founder/ Executive Director Michelle Cook,
“Do you remember the anticipation of your elementary school book fair? The excitement of finding the ‘perfect’ book? The thrill of selecting a book, knowing it could be yours forever?
“For thousands of children in North Texas, this anticipation is replaced with disappointment because there is no money for a new book. They have few, if any, children’s books to call their own.
“Book Drive for Kids’ mission is to get good books into the hearts and homes of needy children. We believe that not only do children enjoy a new book, but they need books at home. A major predictor of reading success for children is access to books and the frequency of books read to them. This situation is even more urgent with the lost learning caused by COVID school closures. We want to come alongside educators and parents to speed the learning recovery. “The only books many of my first-grade students have at home are gifts from Book Drive for Kids,” reports Nicole Chaney, a teacher.
“North Texas Giving Day is an integral part of this plan! With the huge network of North Texas Giving Day supporters, we hope to meet our matching fund’s goal of $7,500 to acquire our first vehicle and give away over 50,000 books this year. How can you get involved?
- “Give: Regions Bank sponsored its free book fair with us in 2018 by providing the matching funds for our first Reading is Fundamental Book Ownership Grant. ‘Our team at Regions Bank is thrilled to work hand-in-hand with Book Drive for Kids as a way to demonstrate our commitment to supporting education in the communities we serve,’ said Oscar Davis, Senior Vice President with the government and institutional banking team. ‘This nonprofit is doing far more than promoting literacy by providing free books to children in need; Book Drive for Kids is also introducing entirely new worlds to children and encouraging them to dream bigger through the magic of reading.’
- “Volunteer: Volunteer opportunities include staffing free book fairs, sorting books at our warehouse, and hosting Book Donation Drives. ‘Volunteering for Book Drive for Kids is so rewarding,’ says a retired engineer Heather Hoffman. ‘At the free book fairs, the kids can make their own choice on which book they want from our wide selection. I see firsthand the impact of this trust and empowerment on their excitement level for reading. Every hour I have volunteered and every dime I have donated for new books is more than returned by seeing the overflowing gratitude of these kids.’
- “Connect: Could we share our mission with your Rotary Group, Book Club, or Networking Group? Could we partner with your organization to get more books to kids?
“’Book Drive for Kids has brought me so much joy and allowed me to be part of something bigger than myself,’ said Co-Founder Nicol Klingenstein. ‘Come join us in the fun and joy of sharing books with children who want and need them!’”
* Photo credit: Simon Toledo ** Graphic/photo provided by Book Drive for Kids *** Photo credit: Kelsey Solis
Communities Foundation of Texas’ North Texas Giving Day helps build awareness and support for nonprofits like nothing else. In 2021, $66 million was raised through 103,000 donors benefiting over 3,300 local nonprofits, bringing the 13-year total to over $441 million for our community. NTx Giving Day is the largest community-wide giving event in the nation.
On Thursday, September 22, support Book Drive for Kids by linking here and spreading the word. #NTxGivingDay