It is always so powerful to be reminded of the reasons we do what we do. This infographic is one of those instances.
-Kristina Weber
Getting Books into the Hands of Kids at The Clinic
By Anastasia Gruper
The anticipation of getting books into the hands of kids made setting up seem like an eternity. First we met to pack the car full of books and shelves to display the plethora of titles. Then we unpacked and set up in the Immanuel Lutheran gymnasium. The Brownie troop and Cole had a great handle on the set up; it would never have been completed so quickly without them. As we moved boxes of books, we were able to chat with other non-profit organizations setting up for the clinic. The passion and commitment of so many individuals was heart warming. Once the set up was complete, we waited patiently for the people to arrive.
As the first few people walked through the books, I watched as my friends and colleagues helped children find the perfect book. Not wanting to steal the joy from anyone else, I waited my turn. When a twelve year old girl brought her six year old brother through the line, I asked her what types of books she liked to read. She shook her head no, as if to say she wasn’t interested. Her little brother had found four books rather quickly, and I knew from her glancing at the books that she would love a few for herself. I picked up Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli and began to tell her why I loved the book. As if being polite, she accepted the book. I moved on to A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck and then First Light by Rebecca Stead. The girl took each book I chatted about. As I left the gymnasium, I prayed that something I said interested the little girl to read. Something in my heart tells me she just needed to be encouraged to take a few.
Garden Quarter Family Literacy Night
By Mal Keenan
On October 30th, A to Z volunteers hosted their third Family Literacy Night at Garden Quarter Resource Center. Amanda shared The Spirit of Uncle Fernando (El Espiritu de Tio Fernando) aloud with children, modeling reading interaction and strategies for parents, while engaging the families in conversation about this wonderful story. After enjoying the story, the kids once again selected five books to add to their home libraries. For me – this is the best part – helping kids decide what books go home after talking about what they really like and what they really want to read.
Reflections on The Clinic
By Koriann Lance
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
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
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.
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.
A to Z Literacy Movement Blog 