Barkley's Bookshelf August Newsletter

AUGUST 2025

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Barkley's Vision:

Every child is a reader, and every child is a book owner.

Barkley's Mission:

Enriching children's love of reading by providing books that they can call their own.

Thoughts from the Bookshelf:

“93% of kids say their favorite books are the ones they picked out themselves,” noted a Scholastic literacy study (Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report, 2022). At Barkley’s Bookshelf, we believe book choice is important. It’s why we utilize this model as our primary method of book distribution. Barkley’s Bookshelf launched our first Summer Reading Program in June to further support children’s literacy and book choice.

Young readers were able to select five new books from a list of 30 current titles, including bilingual options, that they wanted to read over the summer break. Barkley’s Bookshelf donated 427 new books to 89 students in Pre-K through 5th grade, who registered through our partners at Cy-Fair Helping Hands and the Hope Centers. They also received a drawstring tote bag for book storage, a bookmark, and a free kids' meal at Raising Cane’s. The program was partially underwritten by a Sparks Good grant from Walmart.

We are excited by the success of our Summer Reading Program and have plans to expand by enrolling more students next summer. To continue driving programming growth, we will kick off a collective giving campaign in October. Stay tuned for more details on how you can help us reach our Vision: Every child is a reader, and every child is a book owner.

Yours in Reading,

Brenda Polivka

Founder

Barkley's Bookshelf

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

If your corporation offers a matching grant, we encourage you to connect with us at info@barkleysbookshelf.org. This is a fantastic opportunity for Barkley's Bookshelf, and your involvement could make a significant difference. Don't miss out on the chance to amplify your impact!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Bank of America Charitable Foundation! They have partnered with Barkley's Bookshelf as a recipient of their corporate matching program, which will match employee donations up to $5,000.00 annually.

Thank you, Bank of America!

Amazon Wishlist

Click here to support Barkley's Bookshelf with Book Donations.

Visit our Walmart Registry to support Barkley's Bookshelf with Book Donations

Kendra Scott GIVEBACK Dates Scheduled for 2025

October 19th from 2pm - 4pm
December 20th from 12pm - 2pm

We are thrilled to partner with

Kendra Scott, Towne Lake Cypress, for more KENDRA SCOTT giveback events. Save these dates for your shopping, as Kendra Scott will donate 20% of sales to Barkley's Bookshelf. Online codes will be available. Watch email and social media for more details about each event. These donations provide funding for books, tote bags, and bookmarks for our book fairs!

HOW IS BARKLEY'S BOOKSHELF SERVING?

SUMMER READING PROGRAM SUCCESS

Cy-Fair Helping Hands Summer Reading Program

Thirty students registered for the Summer Reading Program. 150 Books of the students' choosing were delivered via USPS to the registered readers in Cypress, Jersey Village, Spring, Katy, and Channelview to reach our readers where they reside for the summer.

Cy-Hope Hope Center's Summer Reading Program

Fifty-nine young readers registered for the Summer Reading Program! We were able to deliver 277 books of the students' choosing to the Longhorn, Windfern, Willow Green, and Waller campuses.

BOOK BUNDLES BOOK DELIVERY

New Community Partner

Gracewood

Gracewood is a 22 year old nonprofit providing residential housing for single mothers and their children. Barkley's will provide 100 books twice a year to the children living at Gracewood through our Book Bundle program.

Our Book Bundle program delivers bundles of books to our community partners when book fairs are not possible, still reaching are most important young readers with books that they can call their own.

BOOK FAIRS WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Cy-Fair Helping Hands Back to School Bash

This year marked Barkley's fourth year to participate in the CFHH Back to School Bash with a book fair. We were able to distribute 1,426 books to approximately 285 students!

Boys and Girls Country Spring Festival Book Fair

This event was held on May 3rd, 2025. Barkley's Bookshelf distributed 628 books!

Hairgrove Elementary, CFISD Book Fair

This event was held in May. We donated 935 books, coordinating the titles with their school librarian. The students were able to make a book selection to keep. They wrote notes of thanks and we were beyond touched.

GRATITUDE

🌟 **Thank You to Our Donors and Volunteers** 🌟

A big thank you to our amazing donors and volunteers! Your support is crucial to achieving our mission.

Every dollar and every hour you give makes a real difference in our community. Your efforts inspire us and help those we serve.

We appreciate all you do. Together, we are making a meaningful impact. We couldn’t do it without you!

Young Ambassador Program welcomes its newest member!

We welcome Megan to the Young Ambassador Program!

Megan will assist Barkley’s Bookshelf by promoting literacy among her peer group and volunteering at our events.

If you know someone who would be a good candidate for the Young Ambassador Program, please direct them to Barkley's Bookshelf website to learn more.

Book Drives

Virtual book drives sponsored by a group, company, or organization are a fun way to unite and provide much-needed books for our Book Fairs and Book Bundles. Using our curated lists through Amazon and Wal-Mart, the process is easy, and the excitement is contagious.

Book Drive

Volunteer

Barkley's Bookshelf is always seeking invested volunteers who appreciate children, children's literature, and the joy that connects the two. If you want to become a Book Fair volunteer or serve in another capacity, please get in touch with us, info@barkleysbookshelf.org,

Your contribution will bring smiles and inspiration to many young minds.

Donations

Monetary donations are always needed as Barkley's Bookshelf strives to provide new books for our students' personal libraries. For many of our students, this will be their first opportunity to choose and keep a book. Your donation is not just a gift, it's a commitment to their future. Barkley's provides bookmarks and sturdy tote bags for their new literary treasures. Donate

Facebook Fundraiser

Barkley's Bookshelf is an approved non-profit if you would like to host an online fundraiser through their platform. By hosting a fundraiser, you can directly contribute to our mission of promoting children's literacy and book ownership. Facebook Fundraising

Something to think about:

Save the Date for the CyFair Women's Club Shop 'til You Drop Marketplace on Saturday, September 13th!

Barkley's Bookshelf is grateful for the ongoing support from the CyFair Women's Club for our mission and vision. Don't miss out on this exciting event!

Donate

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