BOOKENDS
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April 24, 2011
BookEnds is an outstanding organization that helps create readers and leaders. BookEnds program staff helps elementary school students organize book drives to collect gently used books and donates the books to schools and youth organizations in need of books. BookEnds staff qualifies the recipient schools to ensure that the children will have immediate access to the books and that the teachers receiving the books for their classrooms are excited to incorporate the books into their reading curriculum. The book drives are student driven, and for most of these children it is their first hands on experience with community service. Over the past 12 years, BookEnds has collected and donated almost 2.5 MILLION books to children in Los Angeles, making a tremendous impact on the literacy opportunities in our community. During a recent BookEnds delivery to a LA USD school, we were advised by a teacher that the first grade students were allowed to visit the library one time every three weeks, could check out one book, and were not allowed to take the book home. The children attending the school do not have safe access to a public library and do not have books at home. Without BookEnds, these children would not have the tools to become readers. The BookEnds model is also an excellent model for teaching children to recycle and reuse.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
attending book drive kickoffs, sortings, deliveries and wrap ups.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Hire additional program managers so BookEnds could collect and donate even more books!
April 22, 2011
Bookends is such a great organization. They have helped a countless amount of people get access to books as well as teach so many kids a lesson of leadership. They do a spectacular job and really try to solve the problem of illiteracy.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Seeing the books be delivered to schools.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
make sure it stays the way it is.
April 13, 2011
BookEnds is a fantastic organization dedicated to increasing literacy and volunteerism in Southern California. It uses an amazing business model centered around kids giving to kids..c Plus, deserving schools end up with libraries full of books! It's staff and board have so much energy and dedication---its truly an amazing organization!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Seeing the joy in the faces of kids as they receive boxes of books! Also, watching 4th graders read together at the end of a successful book drive.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Provide additional funds in order to serve more schools!
April 11, 2011
The heart of BookEnds, like any standout organization, is it's amazing Founder and President. BookEnds President, Robin Keefe has unflappable passion for improving our world. I have worked for many non profits, and this organization is truly beyond compare. BookEnds serves such a large base of children and communities in need and does so with incredible efficiency. It is a simple program that greatly impacts both leadership and literacy in our youth.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my work.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
make it bigger.
April 11, 2011
BookEnds succeeds in the brilliant conceptual undertaking of delivering quality children's books into the hands of kids who need them. Since their inception they have donated over $15 million in books (an official valuation). And they do so by fostering a sense of community service in the more fortunate students who help collect these books. It's a wonderful combination of community enrichment, empowerment through literacy and service, and recycling. Great program!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
... action at every level.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
... expand. Provide funding and expand this program nationwide and beyond.
April 8, 2011
This organization is truly amazing! BookEnds has put over 2 million books into the hands of children who otherwise would have none! Keep up the good work!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Volunteer
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
No changes, I would just hope that more people became aware of their work and supported their mission!
April 7, 2011
This is what BookEnds does:
1. Show schools how to run a book drive to gather new and gently used children's books
2. Show the children who run the book drive how to sort the books according to age groups
3. Match the donor school with a recipient school
4. Co-ordinate with the schools, allowing the donor school to give the books to the recipient school, and interact with the recipients
This is what BookEnds really does:
1. Teaches children to be aware of the needs of others
2. Teaches children that they personally can help in the world
3. Provides reading materials for children in need
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've seen the joy of children helping other children. It's a wonderful thing to teach a person that they can help make the world a better place. It's even more wonderful to see it happen, and the joy that it brings to both the children that are giving, and the children that are receiving.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would like to see BookEnds expand to be an international organization.
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
April 7, 2011
BookEnds provides access to books to the children that need them most. BookEnds gives children the resources to develop literacy and leadership skills and while experiencing the joy of reading. The staff is friendly and responsive and crucial to BookEnds accomplishing their mission.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Through events and committee/board meetings
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Increase the amount of funding they receive from private funders. BookEnds needs more funding!
April 7, 2011
Very few organizations can do so much with so little the way BookEnds does. Not only is it's staff and board filled with very talented and compassionate people, but most importantly BookEnds has an immeasurable impact on the lives of the children it serves. By recycling books sourced from book drives led by children and delivering those books to those children most in need in under served communities, BookEnds uniquely creates a better Southern California community. Kids from more affluent backgrounds are taught the value of charity and exposed to those who are less fortunate in their own city. Kids who are in need of books are provided quality books, which are delivered by children from different backgrounds. Ultimately, the imaginations and educations of both kids are driven higher through literacy and kids (donors and recipients) are taught valuable life lessons about charity and empathy. And if you're moved less by your heart and more by return, very few nonprofits can deliver as tangible and as measurable a return on their donations as BookEnds.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
person.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
expand it to reach more children.
April 7, 2011
Gently used books all need a place to go to be read again. Bookends provides an opportunity for students to help other students through book drives and book shares. This is a positive way to keep literacy alive and keep the art of reading books part of education. Bookends hosts many events and opportunities to share books. I have hosted book drives and been at schools on the receiving end of drives. Either way is a great experience. Great organization!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Watching teachers and students get excited when hundreds of books arrive in my office. They can't wait to look through them and discuss them with friends and colleagues. Also I have been on the Scrabble event committee with a silent auction and seen the support of the westsiders for Bookends.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Expand it! Hire program directors for San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire and then Orange County and then.....
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