Hey friends, lovers, and all da girls at the party!

It’s marathon season and if you’re anything like us, running is only an occasionally appealing thought. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have endurance. As 90s kids growing up in the rural Midwest, long car rides listening to a radio station that played about four songs on repeat was our training ground for all-encompassing knowledge of pop song lyrics and resilience while sitting on hot leather seats. In order to support the mission of Open Books, this July we are going to test the limits of our bodies and minds by marathon listening to Janet Jackson’s “All For You”.

Here’s how it works. We will begin our marathon Friday, July 29^th at 7:00 PM with an inaugural dance party. Then, we will listen to Janet Jackson on repeat for the next 36 hours. With your contributions dictating the number of listens, we will attempt to break the current record of listening to a single song, which is 413 times in 36 hours. The only breaks shall be bathroom breaks, with the song playing outside.

We will be camping out at Abby’s house for the weekend, checking in with confession booths during the day. With our donation packages you can help us reach our goal by purchasing listens, or you can become a part of our process by asking questions, giving us challenges, or requesting coordinated dance videos.

We've got some bonuses as well! We want to make sure to reach out to you on social media and show you what we're up to (for better and for worse). 

$25 for 6 listens + a question. Ask us questions about anything you’d like: our process, our cats, our thoughts about Jeff Goldblum.

$50 for 12 listens + a question + a challenge. Get creative, like gargling to the beat, trying to order food a restaurant using only lyrics from the song, or putting on makeup while dancing.

$100 for 26 listens + a question + a dance video. We will make a 1 minute coordinated dance video in any style of dance you choose, incorporating props you tell us to use, and singing your name instead of you in “It’s All for You”.

So, in the words of the great poet Janet Jackson: Come over here and get some. And by some we mean inspiration from our commitment to the power of used books….and classic 90s pop.

Thanks, hugs, and high fives forever -- Alyssa and Abby

Team Bookin' It

Open Books' annual fundraiser Team Bookin' It (TBI), brings together runners, virtual runners, and donors in support of literacy. TBI is part of the Humana Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon, July 21-22. The race includes a 5K on Saturday, July 21 and a 10K and Half Marathon on Sunday, July 22. The race takes place at Grant Park. Proceeds of TBI 2018 benefit Open Books' literacy and book granting programs that reach thousands of children each year.

Our Mission

Open Books transforms lives through reading, writing, and the GIVING power of used books. Open Books brings the joy of literacy to 5,000 children, and donates over 150,000 books to children, families, and under-resourced communities in Chicagoland this year. To learn more, please visit us at www.open-books.org.

Employee Matches

Want to Double your Donation? Did you know that hundreds of companies across the country match employee charitable contributions dollar-for-dollar?
 
How It Works
 
1. Contact your employer’s Human Resources and ask whether your company matches employee donations to Open Books.
2. Request & fill out your company’s matching gift forms, and submit along with any necessary documentation.
3. Any nonprofit forms can be sent to:

Open Books
651 W. Lake Street
Chicago, IL 60661