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(part of a monthly series)

How did you first hear or learn about Books for Keeps?
I was introduced when I was in the school district and heard about it in schools. The children that I worked with were able to receive bags of books.

How long have you been volunteering or serving with Books for Keeps?
I started volunteering when we went into the pandemic. Once it hit, there were calls by Books for Keeps to do deliveries, so that’s where I started. And when it came time for the distribution of the books for our school this year, I coordinated to make sure we were able to get all the books distributed to our students. I’ve also been serving on the board officially since January.

Why did you choose to serve on the Books for Keeps’ board?
For me, just seeing the impact first hand that the program has for the kids and the excitement around books. I grew up with my dad taking me to the library every week and I remember how excited I would get about those books. I didn’t have a lot of books that we owned because we went to the library so much, and the pure joy that I can see the children have about having their own books really spoke to me personally. And of course being in education, reading is so important. It’s actually my favorite thing to teach.

Have you had an inspiring/memorable interaction with a student since working with Books for Keeps? (This can be a direct interaction or something you observed.) If so, tell us about it.
When Books for Keeps comes into the school, it’s during a chaotic time of year – it’s the [...]

(part of a monthly series)

How did you first learn about Books for Keeps?

I learned about BFK through the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.

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

I have been on the Board through the Terry Board Fellows program since October of 2020.

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

I have always had a passion for reading that started at a very young age. I believe that it is important to increase access to books and encourage a child to read. Books are where the world begins to open.

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

Even though it may look a little different from the past, it has been exciting to see the photos and videos of kids receiving their books this Spring and reading with their classmates.

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

I have worked with several nonprofits over the years. They have all generally had a mission rooted in education/helping students succeed. For example, the Colorado “I Have A Dream” Foundation in Denver, CO was dedicated to providing wrap-around services to students.

What strengths are you bringing to Books for Keeps?

In addition to a genuine desire to see the organization succeed and serve as many students in the Athens and greater Athens area, I have experience with supporting organizations’ communications plans and social media.

What is your favorite memory from working with Books for Keeps?

I have had the opportunity to volunteer in the warehouse a few times this Spring to pack books and work with other volunteers. Just seeing the variety and volume of [...]

(official press release)

Books for Keeps to Become New Home for Clarke County Early Literacy Program

ATHENS, Ga. – Books for Keeps is proud to announce the addition of Clarke County Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program to our organization’s growing complement of whole-family services.

This program, previously run by United Way of Northeast Georgia, is an asset to children from birth to age five and their parents. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books for children from birth to age five to children from birth to age five, regardless of their barriers to book access.

This program, previously run by United Way of Northeast Georgia for the past nine years, has been an asset to our community’s children in building a life-long, foundational love of reading. Books for Keeps (BFK) will officially assume administration of the Clarke County portion of the program on October 1, 2021.  

“Bringing this well-loved, highly respected program under the growing umbrella of Books for Keeps’ family literacy programming makes so much sense, and it’s a thrill for Books for Keeps,” said Books for Keeps Program Manager Justin Bray. “As we have expanded to reach every elementary student in Athens, BFK has increasingly turned our attention to how we can build a greater foundation for success among our students. Becoming the new home for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will help us do that more intentionally and fully.” 

At Books for Keeps, children in Clarke County and their families are the focus, giving them access to resources that help them grow both their love of reading and their literacy skills. The first five years of a child’s life represent a critical developmental stage and, per data evaluations, children who receive [...]

(part of a monthly series)

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

I first heard about Books for Keeps in 2016 when former UGA wide receiver and alumnus Malcolm Mitchell spoke at a University of Georgia development meeting about his children’s book, The Magician’s Hat, and his partnership with Books for Keeps to provide a copy to every first-grade student in the Clarke County School District. BFK’s mission to provide underserved schools with books for kids immediately piqued my interest and I was excited to learn that that BFK’s founder, Melany Smith, also worked at UGA.

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

I’m a newbie! Former BFK member and friend, Jamie Cumbie, thought I would enjoy the opportunity to give back to the community through this organization as much as she did and threw my name in the hat as a nominee for the board, which I enthusiastically pursued. I was fortunate enough to be accepted and have been serving with Books for Keeps since January 2021.

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

Being a part of the University of Georgia as both a student and employee has afforded me countless opportunities but I wanted to engage more with the greater community. I am an advocate for higher education for all and I think it is critical that kids develop their reading and critical thinking skills as early as possible so that they can be put on a path toward academic success. Books for Keeps helps fill the gap of inequity by providing books for kids who may not otherwise have access to them, which is a mission I am proud to support.

Have you [...]

(part of a monthly series)

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

From Leslie! We have been in many non-profit leadership trainings together.

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

I have been on the board and serving in that capacity since Jan 2021.

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

I am a big fan of reading and Leslie. I am grateful to be building my skills and sharing my experience with such a great organization.

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

I am the executive director of Children First, Inc a local Athens non-profit that engages families in our community and the courts to promote safe, stable and nurturing living environments for children. We have three programs: Athens-Oconee CASA where trained volunteers advocate for children in foster care, SafeCare where we provide in-home parenting to help maintain children safely in the home and SPARC where we work with non custodial parents to help gain access to their children. I collaborate with many other Athens Area nonprofits and government agencies in the child welfare world.

What strengths are you bringing to Books for Keeps?

Humor, following through with tasks, and nonprofit leadership experience.

What is your favorite memory from working with Books for Keeps?

Last year, we had a [virtual] holiday game night. That was a great way to begin working on this board.

Do you have a keen childhood memory related to a particular book? Or an experience with reading – to yourself or to a loved one?

Yes. As a kid, reading and books were all great pastimes for me. Over the summers, my siblings and I read books out loud to each other on camping [...]