Organizing a one-day community book drive

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Abstract

It may be difficult for poor families to provide books for their toddlers and young children. During this one-day event, held on Make A Difference Day,  books were collected for 75 families in need. The collaborative event was sponsored by an RSVP project, a local literacy council, and a county 4-H program.

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Issue

Families without literate adults are not able to read to their children. Children in these homes may lack the encouragement and resources to appreciate reading.

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Action

The goal of this event was to place picture books and easy-to-read books in 75 homes. By using books with graphics only, the hope was that the children would make up original stories from imagination, and learn to enjoy reading as they turned the pages. Steps to take to ensure a successful event are as follows:

  • Collaborate among nonprofit and volunteer agencies: for Make a Difference Day three agencies organized and sponsored the event, and two additional agencies distributed the books.
  • Have sufficient drop sites, and enough volunteers to collect the "gently" used books.
  • Collect monetary donations at the sites in addition to the used books.
  • Take photos to share with the local newspapers.
  • Ask one member from each of the distributing agencies to purchase books with the donated funds.
  • Provide lunch afterwards for all volunteers — ask staff and members of the participating organizations to donate the food.

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Context

This one-day book drive was held on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, by Eastern Shore RSVP, Onancock, Virginia, in collaboration with the local Literacy Council and a county 4-H program. Books were distributed by Project Head Start, the Literacy Council, and two departments of social services (one from each county) as part of their Toys for Tots programs for Christmas. The distributing agencies chose the families most in need.

Only about 40 percent of the population over 25 years of age in this area of the Eastern Shore has a high school diploma. The economy is primarily rural agricultural, which has suffered in recent years. Many families have no books in their homes or no one in the family able to read to the children.

Make A Difference Day is one of the most encompassing national days of service — a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Created by USA Weekend Magazine, Make A Difference Day is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. Millions have participated since 1991.

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Outcome

This one-day event, held on Make A Difference Day, helped collect books for 75 families. The books were distributed to children so they could develop an appreciation for reading.

  • More than 150 books were collected.
  • Over $180 dollars was donated to purchase books.
  • Volunteers from different agencies strengthened collaborative bonds.

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Posted On

November 6, 2001

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Source Documents

Related Practices

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Related sites

Make A Difference Day

National Center for Family Literacy

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