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Libraries and the A to Z Mission

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Pat’s trunk frequently looks like this.

By Pat Kelly

The books we recycle originate from many sources. One of the major, recurring places which provide us with quality stories is libraries. Public libraries have book sales and naturally, there are leftovers after the doors have closed. In a most generous manner, libraries donate those volumes left to non-profits.

Having gone to quite a few of these giveaways, I‘ve developed into an efficient gatherer. Time is of the essence when collecting books at a post-sale giveaway, and so I have become pretty good at judging books by their covers. Once I have an interesting one in my hands, I flip through it briefly to check condition (we look for very good condition), reading level and appropriate content for Zambian children. Quite a number of subjects that American children read about wouldn’t convey well to a Zambian child.

I thrill to find the occasional book which directly relates to Africa, such as a folktale or picture book about African animals. I also happily add to my box those stories which were my own children’s favorites.

Our partnership with libraries plays an important part in the support system carrying out the mission of A to Z Literacy Movement.

Another thing we are all thankful for.

Reflections on The Clinic

By Koriann Lance

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I was nervous coming to the clinic to volunteer. I didn’t know what to expect, as I had never been a part of an event such as this before. After I helped the first young girl find a book just for her, my heart melted and I forgot about my nerves. To know that this little girl went home with something all her own to get lost in and enjoy….priceless.

I also remember several adult individuals thanking me, repeatedly. I heard from several people “God bless you.” I wanted to say, “No, God bless you!” They gave me the gift of helping me open my eyes to the needs of our community. They gave me the fulfillment of knowing that I helped in some small way, though I know much more needs to be done. They gave me the gift of understanding what a community really means.

The clinic was held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake, IL.  If you’d like to learn more, please visit them at http://www.imcl.us/#/missions-outreach

Books Arrived Safely in Ghana

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It Was Just Like “Storage Wars”…

…except she didn’t have to saw the lock off.
There I was at the U-Haul storage facility, when Jackie lifted the tambour door, and my eyes took in all she had to offer.
Boxes and boxes of books- lovely, pristine books, classic titles, new reads, old favorites.
In the span of an hour or so, I loaded all of these valuable books into my car. As I drove away, I kept thinking, “What a jackpot!”.
Now, weeks later, some of picture books are en route to Ghana and Uganda. Others are earmarked for Zambia, as well as our local students in Crystal Lake and McHenry.
Thank you, Jackie!

Blog Post by Pat Kelly

Paying It Forward

By Kalan Gott

I love when someone stops me and says, “Hey, I just read this great book about …want to read it?” Since I am usually looking for something great to read, I accept and the cycle begins. It is like the movie “Pay It Forward”, but with books instead of acts of kindness. That one book offered to me is now passed from one person to the next spreading the culture of reading. Even more exciting, each person that reads that book talks about it! Those moments when people excitedly share their favorite parts of the story: what surprised them, made them curious, when they got mad, when they got excited, how they connected to the characters, and how they got lost in that author’s world. If we all keep paying it forward through books think about how many lives we can touch, how many children we can inspire, and how many books we can discover. Next time you read a great book don’t forget to pay it forward!

Bikes = Books

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Thanks to the fine folks who participated in Matt’s Tavern’s Spoker Run today. The money raised will help us create book bags for our local literacy project to increase home literacy awareness as well as help pay for a shipment of books to a school in Ghana.

Riding Around Town

A very big thank you to Matt’s Tavern for choosing A to Z Literacy Movement as the recipient of their fundraiser. It was a perfect day for the 13th annual Spoker Run as folks rode around town enjoying the sunny afternoon. We are so grateful to the people who believe in our mission and came out to support literacy here in McHenry county and across the globe.
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Life is like riding a bicycle – in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving. ~Albert Einstein

Don’t forget, A to Z friends, tomorrow is the Spoker Run. Matt’s Tavern is hosting their annual fundraiser at 11:00 and proceeds will benefit A to Z Literacy Movement. Get yourself and your bike to Matt’s to sign up for the eight mile bike ride. It’s going to be gorgeous tomorrow – what a great way to spend the day!
We are moving forward with our 2013 goals, prepping eighteen boxes of children’s books to be shipped to Ghana as well as working on our local literacy projects in Crystal Lake and McHenry.
As always, thank you for believing in our mission, helping us to move forward in literacy, and getting books into kids’ hands.

When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. ~H.G. Wells

Before summer ends and school begins, won’t you please consider getting on your bicycle (or borrowing one) for an 8 mile bike ride benefiting a great cause – A to Z Literacy Movement – http://www.atozliteracy.org
This Sunday, August 25th, at 11:00, Matt’s Tavern is hosting their annual Spoker Run. You can register the day of the event at Matt’s, and for $25, you get a cool t-shirt, raffle tickets, and fun times with family and friends.
Proceeds from the Spoker Run will help A to Z Literacy Movement meet our 2013 goals and kick start another local literacy project with kids in McHenry county.

Garden Quarter Reflection

Michelle and reader

This past Thursday was the last day of Summer Story Boost at Garden Quarter. As with all new things, there were a few kinks to work out. The book shelves we had hoped to have in place by the end of June did not get built, however a fellow teacher gave three of her own bookshelves to house all of the novels and picture books A to Z had donated. Some weeks, we had plenty of volunteers, while other weeks, we had just a few, but I was encouraged by new faces involved with A to Z this summer. And since Summer Story Boost was a drop-in program, some kids didn’t stay to read, which is hard not to take personally. But here’s what kept me going – Ruby and Fernando may not have always stuck around, but Justino and America came every week, ready to dive into a story. My job was to show up with a great book, to encourage conversation, and to share the love of reading.