It’s no surprise to anyone that I grew up LOVING to read. Just ask my sister, who would head down to the pool in Florida while I would choose to stay back and continue with whatever adventure I was on (and this wasn’t JUST to avoid the inevitable sunburn :). Reading has always been such an influential part of my life. So naturally, I gravitated toward teaching (well...after my mom told me to). Now I have the extreme pleasure of teaching reading and writing to 4th graders in Chicago. I never knew anyone could love a job this much. Every year, I take my students on a field trip to Open Books. We hop on the train and head down town to this magical ‘store’ that is so much more. Along with a creative writing workshop where they explore writing together in an inspiring environment, they also get to choose any book they would like to take home with them. When we return back to school, the room is silent yet so alive with 4th graders all on their own new adventure.  If I can continue to instill this passion for reading for the rest of my life, then I will feel as though I ‘made it’ in this crazy world :). Open Books clearly shares my love for reading and how important it is to share this love with the young ones in our lives. So when I saw this opportunity to raise money for them, I jumped.  Now. I am NOT a runner. But just as I tell the kid who says, “I am not a reader,” I’m going to change my mind!  I’m going to give it my all and do something good for myself and for all of the young kids sitting on porches or under their beds with a flashlight trying to get in another page before bedtime. Because in a world full of video games and violence, I want to keep making reading be ‘the cool thing to do!’  Thanks for taking the time to read my story. If you are able to help out and donate to this wonderful cause, then GREAT and THANK YOU!  If not, I would still love for you  to cheer me on come race day!  :)

Thank you!

Amanda

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