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(part of a new monthly series)

How did you first hear or learn about Books for Keeps?

I first learned about Books for Keeps from a former Board Member, Joe Hill, who suggested I volunteer during Book Distribution.  I was immediately sold!  I loved seeing the excitement of the kids who were getting books.  It was like we were giving away candy, but we were giving them books!

Why did you choose to serve on the Books for Keeps’ board?

I am a huge advocate of early childhood reading and truly believe teaching kids to read – and to love books – at an early age sets them up for the rest of their lives.   Books for Keeps does just that.  By letting children who may not have access to books choose books based on their interests, I believe it teaches them to enjoy reading.  It is important to separate required reading in schools from reading for pleasure.

Have you worked with other non-profits in the past? Which ones?  

I have been involved with many non profit organizations in Athens.  My primary focus has been United Way of NE Georgia where I volunteered over 25 years and served a Chairman of the Board for three years.  Before that, I served in several roles including Campaign Chair  and Womens Leadership Chair.  I am a huge supporter of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program managed by United Way in Athens that also supports early childhood reading.  I believe the DPIL progrtam and Books for Keeps compliment each other and provide all of the kids in Athens Clarke County the reading opportunities they need to be successful  in school and in life.

What strengths are you bringing to Books for Keeps?  

I retired from Athens First [...]

(part of a new monthly series)

How did you first hear or learn about Books for Keeps?

Through a book drive at First American Bank & Trust

How long have you been volunteering or serving with Books for Keeps?

Beyond donating books, I have been serving Books for Keeps since August. 

Why did you choose to serve on the Books for Keeps’ board?

I grew up loving to read, and trips to the library throughout the summer were always a highlight.  Providing access to books to kids in  my community for that oh so sweet summer-reading that can also enrich their lives, and have positive long-term effects, like graduating high school, excites me.  Making an impact with the potential for long-term positive results for the children in our community, yes please.

Have you had an inspiring/memorable interaction with a student since working with Books for Keeps? Tell us about it!

When I volunteered at this year’s book sale, my first, a whole family came in with their bags from book distribution day at their school last year.  These kids ranged in age from 4-13, and they were truly excited to re-fill their bags.  It was such a visible positive effect of the program.  Honestly, it hit me right in the feels. 

Have you worked with other non-profits in the past? Which ones?  

Yes, the United Way of Northeast Georgia, Java Joy, and  I serve as head of our Community Involvement Committee at First American.  This role gives me the opportunity to learn about and interact with many local non-profits.

What strengths are you bringing to Books for Keeps?  

Mostly upper body, kidding.  I’m bringing marketing experience and a whole load of passion for making a difference in our community.  A difference with long-term effects for improving [...]

We’ve declared Book Drive Month a holiday, and the celebration is going strong! Each year during the month of October, organizations and businesses in the areas we serve volunteer to host book drives to benefit Books for Keeps. Book drives help us collect books for our program and our book sale, but more than that, book drives help us share our passion for literacy with new stakeholders. You can join in the celebration by helping us thank these participating businesses and organizations:

New College at UGA (hosted by Sara Kirkpatrick)
Girl Scout Troop #12140
Rotary Club of the Classic City
Athens YMCA
Piedmont Athens Regional
Edwards Jones, Denise Ricks
Bank South Mortgage
Canopy Studio (hosted by Sara Kirkpatrick)
First Book UGA
Sigma Tau Delta at UNG
MEDLIFE at UGA
Leah Leggett Real Estate

In addition to these book drives happening in October, Belk at Georgia Square Mall, Book Warehouse of Atlanta, and 2nd & Charles of Athens have all just concluded book drives to coincide with the beginning of the school year. And our partners at UGA AMSA will be hosting a drive in January to kick off the new year on a giving foot!

WHEW! That’s a lot of book drives! And each one will help us get more books to more kids next spring. If you pop into one of these businesses this fall or work with one of these organizations, please thank them for their support of Books for Keeps. If you’re a BFK drop location, please stay in touch during Book Drive Month if you need a pick-up!

Here at Books for Keeps, we believe providing children with open, equal access to book allows them to connect the joy of reading with the thrill of discover, laying the foundation for a successful, fulfilling life. We work in service of this belief every day, purchasing high interest books that will excite young readers, creating joyful experiences through reading, and building relationships that will help us reach new schools.

One such relationship that we have worked hard over the last three years to grow is with our partners at the Waffle House Foundation. At the Waffle House Foundation, their goal is “to improve the quality of life in the communities [they] serve though the allocation of financial and human resources.” We know that books and a strong foundation for lifelong literacy have the power to improve anyone’s quality of life, and the Waffle House Foundation believes in our mission as well. That’s why, after visiting with us at Benteen Elementary School- a partner school in Atlanta that we’ve been serving for the past two year- and having the opportunity to speak with Benteen principal Dr. Andrew Lovett about the impact of our program, the Waffle House Foundation has committed to fully funding Benteen Elementary for the 2019.

Dr. Lovett feels acutely the power books have in the lives of his students. He describes Benteen elementary as being in a “literary desert,” five miles from the nearest library and in an area where food security takes precedence over other needs. Dr. Lovett is in his third year as principal at Benteen after moving from Dunbar Elementary, a school that Books for Keeps has been serving for the past three years. Each day, he and his dedicated staff work [...]

After concluding our biggest school distribution season ever AND our most successful book sale to date, we are looking back over the supporters who have made these endeavors possible. Each year, we are able to distribute tens of thousands of books to thousands of children thanks to donors like you. And Books for Keeps’s grade-level sponsors are a big part of that success!

Our grade-level sponsors are responsible for keeping an ENTIRE GRADE up to speed and reading all summer long! With a minimum contribution of $2,500, our grade-level sponsors can designate their gift for any grade they choose at any of the schools we serve. Keep reading to learn more about the 2017-2018 grade-level sponsors making a difference in our schools.

Celia Baker of IntelliGRACS Group is the longest standing of our grade-level sponsors. Not only has Celia continued to support our year-end giving campaign each year since our founding, her generosity is also responsible for the donation that made us an official 501c3! Her annual support is a powerful reminder that the work we do in the community isn’t just changing the lives of students, it is also inspiring other community members to get involved.

And Celia isn’t alone! Here is the full list of grade-level sponsors who have been inspired by our mission:

Wells Fargo Foundation
Exhibitus, Inc.
Jefferson Energy Cooperative Foundation
Georgia-Pacific Foundation
Joe Irving
Walton Electric Trust Foundation
100+ Women Who Care Athens
Todd & Lisa Van Meter
Classic City Rotary Club
Phicas Foundation
Bulldog 93.3

Are you or someone you know interested in becoming a sponsor? Check out our Sponsor Package for information on how we will recognize your gift.