As you may know, I'm on the Associate Board for Open Books in Chicago, a really fantastic nonprofit organization that provides literacy experiences for thousands of readers each year through inspiring programs and creative capitalization of books (learn more about Open Books below). As a member of the Associate Board, I help to put on fundraising events throughout the year to raise money for the organization and the programs that it puts on.

Since I reached out last, in addition to participating in this fundraiser last year, I was the Co-Chair of our main annual fundraising event, Make the Case, where teams compete by decorating creative bookcases that eventually get filled with used books and donated to classrooms around Chicago. In addition to being the Co-Chair of the event, I competed with a team to create our own Rainbow Fish-themed bookcase. Unfortunately, we didn’t win (can you believe that?!), but it was so much fun to be a part of.

So, once again this summer, as part of the the Humana Rock 'n' Roll Chicago 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon on July 21-22^nd, Open Books has a team (Team Bookin' It), to run in the race and raise money towards this awesome cause. Since running (still) isn't my thing, I’m again going to participate as a virtual runner, reading 5 books in 30 days vs. running a 5k in 30 minutes, to raise money for more books for the readers in Chicago. Between work, social and family events, my birthday (June 28^th J), the 4^th, and the fact that it's summer in the city, it's safe to say that this will once again be a challenge for me.

2018 has been a slow start for me in terms of books I’ve been able to read (only 3 so far in 2018 vs. close to 10 by this time last year), so I’m looking forward to diving back into this hobby that I really love. The stand-out read this year has been The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware – highly recommended (especially for a quick summer read; I couldn’t put it down)!!!

A few of the books I’m targeting to get through for this challenge include: The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo, Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris, Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, and The Lying Game by Ruth Ware. Let me know if there’s a good summer read I’m missing!

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