Books for Keeps blog

Updated July 24, 2020

Books are a torch during times of darkness and human searching.

(Sure, go ahead and call us biased.)

In March of this year, as the skies over our world seemed to turn black, and we all wondered what would happen next – Books for Keeps looked at the 80,000 books in our warehouse as a beacon of hope.

We couldn’t wait for next school year when it would (might?) be safe to give them away through our traditional, school-based program. This impatience, this insistence that our mission is more critical now than ever, is what is behind our still-in-process response to the pandemic: delivering more than 62,000 books directly to students’ homes.

When schools suspended in-person instruction in March we knew we had to act – and quickly – to use those books as a source of hope. In fact, we looked at the books in our warehouse as a very real lifeline that could tether children to their educational futures, to their love of reading, and even to their sense of self.

(As of right now, children in Georgia and elsewhere have been out of school for more than four months – with at least one more to go, and longer delays to return in some counties.)

And so, in March, we embarked on a plan to distribute books to children in the schools we serve using an online ordering process, with fulfillment happening with the help of volunteers in our warehouse and for-profit partners. It felt just crazy enough to work.

And as of late July we’ve hand-delivered some 43,000 books to children – plus worked with a for-profit partner to deliver another 17,000 books via FedEx. And we’re still going, delivering the final orders packed in our warehouse, and [...]

(part of a monthly series)

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

I learned about Books for Keeps when my daughter was in 4th grade and got to participate. Earlier in the year, I met Leslie to learn more about the organization and get some ideas about how to get involved. After speaking with her, I was ready to be a part of it! I thought it was a phenomenal idea that was much needed.

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

4 years as a volunteer, [this is my] 1st year as a board member.

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

Anytime we advocate for literacy, we advance the growth of our community exponentially. Reading is the gateway to learning. Learning leads to growth. Being a part of the board gives me the opportunity to do something I am passionate about with some really cool people.

Have you had an inspiring/memorable interaction with a student since working with Books for Keeps?

The first time I volunteered for my first book distribution was at H. B. Stroud Elementary. I intended on splitting my shift with co-workers. However, we were all having so much fun , we all ended up staying for an entire shift! It was such an inspiring experience interacting with the kids and watching their excitement over the books…the kids’ excitement made us excited! They thanked us as if we’d done something really grand! It was a great feeling.

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

I am an active youth and children’s volunteer with my church, Ebenezer Baptist Church, West. I also volunteer with the Rites of Passage [...]

by BFK board member Deirdre Sugiuchi
(part of a monthly series)

When I first heard of Books for Keeps, I was a school library media specialist at Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School. Melaney Cook-Smith had just piloted the organization at Alps Road Elementary. I knew that my students loved books and loved reading books but often did not have reading materials at home. I knew that the reason I was a strong reader was because I grew up in a home with lots of books. I wanted my students at Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary to have the same opportunities.

It took a few years before there was funding for Oglethorpe to be a part of Books for Keeps, but once OAES was involved, the day they visited was hands down the favorite day of the year. My students loved being able to choose their own books, put them in their own book bag, and take them home to keep and read over and over. As soon as we got back to school in the fall, they would ask me when Books for Keeps was coming, even though they knew Books for Keeps wouldn’t visit until May. They were that excited about having their own books to read.

Recently I left education to focus on writing, but I was a school library media specialist for over a decade. I’ve always been passionate about getting kids excited about reading. Once I left teaching I knew I still wanted to be involved in promoting reading in Athens-Clarke County and Georgia at large. Joining the Books for Keeps board seemed like the best and most effective way I could make a difference.

I believe in Books for Keeps because I have seen the difference it makes. [...]

Donate time, donate treasure, or set up a Facebook fundraiser, and help us raise $20,000 in ONE DAY.
“We’re not participating in Giving Tuesday this year because it’s just gotten too big.”

We see this a lot from fellow nonprofit organizations as the joint holiday / giving season approaches. And we get it.

Giving Tuesday has gotten big. It’s now a global movement with nonprofits and non-governmental organizations participating across 60 countries. It’s a day of focused, almost frenzied generosity, leveraging our very human desire to be part of a group and identify with a common cause.

Here in our corner of the world, Giving Tuesday is big for us. In 2018, Books for Keeps raised $14,300 in just 24 hours on Giving Tuesday (which now coincides with Georgia Gives Day).

This year, we’re setting our sights on raising $10,000 from individuals and businesses on Giving Tuesday, December 3rd, to meet a $10,000 matching challenge from past and present BFK board members. You read that right – our past and current board members will be matching every dollar until we reach our goal of $10,000 on that day. That’s a combined $20,000 toward a REALLY BIG year-end goal to raise $90,000 needed to stay on track for our first program expansion in two years.

As the clamor for donations and contributions on this day of giving has reached fever pitch, though, many folks feel that they’re being hit over the head – repeatedly – by solicitations.

It’s why we’re being careful, selective, and targeted about how (and when) we remind our supporters and followers about Giving Tuesday. We’re scheduling our monthly MailChimp newsletter to hit inboxes on Giving Tuesday this year so that – instead of reminder emails, plus our [...]