This past year in Chicago, I had the wonderful and transformative experience of working as a mentor in the Open Books Reading Buddies program. The incredible development that I witnessed in both of the second grade students that I worked with (not only in reading ability but also in self-esteem!!!) has concretized a feeling that I have had in small whisperings my entire life: Reading matters! Having access to books matters! Literacy not only opens up the world of literature and the arts but also makes life's opportunities more accessible!
In an effort to continue working for literacy, I am running a 10k on July 22nd with Team Bookin' It and my goal is to raise $500 by the day of the race. I hope you will consider joining me in the mission to bring literacy and the remarkable power of reading to new heights. Any amount you can give will help to make materials and programs more accessible to underserved communities in the Chicagoland area! Help me reach my goal!
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
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Laura Katz | 07/19/2018 | $15.00 | Yay!! | Kathleen De Riesthal | 07/17/2018 | $50.00 | Carmen Vieytez | 07/17/2018 | $10.00 | so proud of you!! | Katherine Kwok | 07/17/2018 | $15.00 | <3<3<3 | Katie M | 07/17/2018 | $10.00 | Madeleine Feldman | 07/17/2018 | $10.00 | Go Maria! | C Smith | 07/16/2018 | $25.00 | Thank you for donating your time to this noble cause. Good job! | Roshni P | 07/14/2018 | $50.00 | Aimee Dweck | 07/10/2018 | $20.00 | Allesca Pratt | 07/05/2018 | $15.00 | Good Luck!!! | Sophia Frantz | 07/05/2018 | $15.00 | my fav things running and reading. good luck maria keep up the great work! | Lisa K | 07/05/2018 | $15.00 | Best of luck! :) | Ana Vieytez | 06/23/2018 | $100.00 | Necesitamos enfocarnos en la niñez para tener un mejor planeta | Anya Rose | 06/18/2018 | $10.00 | Kathleen De Riesthal | 06/18/2018 | $50.00 | Tina Zhu | 06/18/2018 | $10.00 | Good luck! What a great cause :) | Evan Sunshine | 06/16/2018 | $25.00 | Good luck Maria! | S G | 06/15/2018 | $10.00 | Good luck, Maria. Hope this helps! | Uriel Mandujano | 06/15/2018 | $20.00 | Everyone you touch turns to gold. | Alicen Davis | 06/15/2018 | $20.00 | Yay Maria!!! :) | Stephanie Giatas | 06/15/2018 | $25.00 | You're amazing! |
| Total | $520.00 | ||