November 2024

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.

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November 2024

Brenda Polivka

Founder

Barkley's Bookshelf

November, the time of year when thoughts of gratitude and thankfulness are top of mind. All of us at Barkley’s Bookshelf are truly grateful and thankful for each of you who partner with us to deliver our mission to students across Northwest Houston neighborhoods. Because of you, our volunteers, nonprofit partners, business partners, community partners, and donors, we can work towards fulfilling our Vision: ‘Every child is a reader, and every child is a book owner.’

This vision has been embraced by our supporters and reached a new height in 2024 when we achieved a milestone distribution of 10,000 books to students in NW Houston. While we have made tremendous strides there is much work still to be done. As we close out this year we ask that you continue to prioritize literacy in our community by supporting the ongoing work of Barkley’s Bookshelf. Will you consider including us in your end-of-year giving?

We also invite you to volunteer at one of our book fairs in 2025. You will see the gratitude and thankfulness of children selecting books that are theirs to keep forever. It’s a magical experience.

Yours in reading,

Brenda

MILESTONE!

Barkley's Bookshelf has distributed more than 10,000 books since its inception in March, 2022! This number is humbling and is only possible through book and monetary donations, and grants. Thank you and let's keep this number climbing as we fulfill our vision that "Every child is a reader and every child is a book owner."

Fall 2024 Book Distribution

Cy Fair Helping Hands, Back to School Bash held on August 3rd:

1300 BOOKS DISTRIBUTED to 260 Young Readers

Hope Centers:

477 BOOKS DISTRIBUTED to 68 Young Readers

Boys and Girls Country Trunk or Treat:

143 BOOKS DISTRIBUTED to 45 Young Readers

Carrying Hope Houston:

400 BOOKS DISTRIBUTED to 200 Young Readers

Virtual Book Drive

Virtual Book Drives are beneficial to Barkley's Bookshelf and our wish lists make it easy. Simply let us know that you would like to host a drive and we will provide the links necessary to share with your network of literacy loving friends.

Special Thanks to The Jaeggi Team for hosting a Virtual Book Drive in September. Thank you Tonia Jaeggi for your unwavering support!

Amazon Wishlist

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

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

Grant Recipient

Thanks to Costco for their recent award to Barkley's Bookshelf. We are thrilled to be recognized by a significant member of the Cy-Fair business community. We appreciate the support and cannot wait to buy more books for our readers!

Nonprofits Insurance Alliance Photo Contest 2024

We have entered the NIA 2024 Nonprofit Photo Contest, and your vote can help Barkley's Bookshelf win cash prizes and publicity! This year's theme is: Community in Focus.

Voting is easy – click the button to vote for our photo.

Cast your vote between November 11 and 22, 2024. Each person may vote once during the contest period. This photo contest is organized by Nonprofits Insurance Alliance.

Thanks for your support!

Click here to vote for Barkley's Bookshelf

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Barkley's Bookshelf has a youth advisory board known as the Young Ambassadors Program, providing valuable insight and support to the board of directors. Barkley's Bookshelf recognizes the importance of multiple perspectives and strives to support our community partners and book recipients with the best experience when it comes to supporting literature.

Young Ambassadors Program:

*Participation is open to high school and college students

*Submit an application and reference for consideration

*Ambassadors promote literacy through book drives on their school campus (can be virtual if in another city/state), volunteering at Barkley's Bookshelf events when possible, sharing our social media posts, and recruiting other students to participate in YAP

We are currently accepting applications for the Young Ambassadors Program. Please email info@BarkleysBookshelf.org for more information.

COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

"Thank you for making our Trunk or Treat so special! I can’t tell you how many people mentioned what a nice touch it was to have the book fair and to be offered such wonderful books! Many of our kids come to us with few traditions, so we strive to give them the normalcy of creating lasting, happy memories of their youth. We couldn’t do that without the generous support of our volunteers. You are amazing and we truly appreciate everything you do to make the lives of our children better. Please extend our gratitude to all your volunteers!"

-Susan Breaux

Boys and Girls Country Volunteer and Community Engagement Coordinator

Donate!

Tuesday, December 3rd!

Black Friday, Cyber Monday and GIVING TUESDAY!

Support Barkley's Bookshelf with donations for books, tote bags and bookmarks. Your support allows our young readers to choose books of their own for their personal libraries. Every child is a reader and every child is a book owner.