Over the past several months, I've had the privilege of serving as the Program Coordinator for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library at Open Books. For those of you who aren't familiar, the Imagination Library provides a new, FREE book every month to Chicago kids aged 0-5!! Seeing the program grow and become a resource for more and more Chicago families has been inspiring, and on July 21st I'll be running my first ever half marathon in support of the program's continued growth!
My goal is to fundraise $700 by race day--I hope you'll consider donating to the cause! Through the Imagination Library, $25 sends 12 FREE books to a registered child. Let's help Chicago kids build their own home libraries and learn the wonder and power of reading!
About Team Bookin' It (TBI)!
Open Books' annual fundraiser Team Bookin' It, brings together runners and virtual runners in support of literacy. TBI is part of the Humana Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon, July 20-21. The race includes a 5k on Saturday, July 20 and a 10k and Half Marathon on Sunday, July 21. The race takes place at Grant Park.
If you're not into running, you can still be part of the TBI team! Sign up as a virtual runner, and let your fundraising creativity shine! Proceeds from TBI support Open Books' literacy and book granting programs.
Fundraising Minimums
Half Marathon: $700
10K: $500
5K and Virtual Runner: $300
Open Books' Mission
Open Books' mission is to transform lives through reading, writing, and the unlimited power of books. Each year, Open Books engages more than 6,000 children and students through its literacy programs and donates over 160,000 books to children, families, and under-resourced communities throughout the Chicago area annually. To learn more, please visit www.open-books.org.
| Supporters | |||
| Name | Date | Amount | Comments |
| Zach Montellaro | 07/21/2019 | $20.00 | AB Alvarenga | 07/20/2019 | $50.00 | In honor of my dad, who raised me to love books. He never had the opportunity to go further than third grade yet he read 1000s of books which allowed him to open up many enterprises, culminating with a school in which his legacy will continue for years to come. | Abigail Henderson | 07/20/2019 | $20.00 | David Ogunlowo | 07/20/2019 | $20.00 | So proud of your Mar!!! Thankful for a person like you!! These kids will be thankful for years to come! | Aneesa Andrabi | 07/19/2019 | $10.00 | Awesome cause + good luck on the marathon! | Carmen Vieytez | 07/19/2019 | $50.00 | i’m the proudest sister!!! keep those kiddos reading!!! | Katie Adams | 07/19/2019 | $5.00 | Good luck; you're going to do so well!! | Andrea Zarate | 07/19/2019 | $50.00 | So proud of you always, such an inspiration and role model <3 Goodluck Maria!! | Anonymous Friend | 07/19/2019 | $20.00 | For the kids! | Evan Sunshine | 07/18/2019 | $30.00 | Good luck Maria!! | Allison Filippone | 07/17/2019 | $20.00 | Stacey Thomas | 07/16/2019 | $10.00 | Good luck Love!!! Keep being a badass | Megan Beach | 07/16/2019 | $10.00 | Yes Maria!! so proud of you everyday, queen of literature AND literacy! | Ana Vieytez | 07/15/2019 | $100.00 | Carinos!! | Alicen Davis | 07/11/2019 | $40.00 | you inspire me!!! future medievalist moms ❤ | Sophia Frantz | 07/11/2019 | $15.00 | yay reading yay grad school yay running yay kiddos yay maria. | Anonymous Friend | 07/03/2019 | $50.00 | Go Maria!!! | Ana Vieytez | 06/24/2019 | $100.00 | Cada día estamos más orgullosos de ti, te queremos con todo el corazón!! | Anonymous Friend | 06/23/2019 | $100.00 | Kemmer Cope | 06/23/2019 | $10.00 | Stephanie Giatas | 06/20/2019 | $25.00 | You’re amazing! Good luck! | Anonymous Friend | 06/20/2019 | $25.00 | I love you and the kiddos! I’m so proud of you!!!! |
| Total | $780.00 | ||