OUR IMPACT

I know the behind-the-scenes work needed to reach diverse communities over a large geographical area.  The 1000 X 5 achievements speak to a dedicated group of people working efficiently and making a nickel stretch..  Apart from the immediate impact of the books themselves, the collateral community impact—in terms of raising overall awareness about literacy and learning—is immeasurable..

The “1000 X 5” book donations have been such an asset to our program.  We appreciate the amount of time the volunteers put into collecting, sorting, bagging, and delivering them…  I wish each of you could see the children’s faces when they pick out their book bags or see a new box of books arrive!  Every single child is grateful to have new books to take home and “read.”  What I appreciate is the value inherently conveyed to the families by these donations—that spending time reading books to children is tremendously important.  I have children who come to the program with the sole purpose of picking up a new bag of books.  I have helped many a toddler out the door at the end of the day with a bag of books to ease the disappointment of leaving…

Coming from an upbringing of a single mother with a very limited income, I can’t recall a time in my childhood when I received a new book. I wish someone had thought of the concept of recycling books sooner. What you are doing is so wonderful and loving—providing books for children you don’t even know.  I feel very privileged to have been a part of it.