Books For Kids - Erie | Newsletter | Vol 17 No 3 Fall 2007


	Books For Kids, Erie Chapter

Volume 17 No. 3 Fall 2007	An affiliate of The Books For Kids Foundation, New York, NY
Everyone Loves Our Books!
Board Members President Dean Baldwin, Ph.D. Vice-President Traci Teudhope Secretary Juan Fernandez, Ph.D. Treasurer Bob Monahan, CPA Members Kathleen Cantrell Mary Connerty Shantel Hilliard Donna Gloekler Jane Hackenberg Jane Levin Mary Jo Melvin, Ph.D. Patty Puline Florence Smith Jim Voss, CPA Webmaster Frank Singer www.booksforkids-erie.org		Book Distributions Bring Rave Reviews The homeless individuals and families who come to Hope House run bu the Erie United Methodist Alliance arrive with very few possessions - often little more than the clothes they can carry. Needless to say, few of them bring books. The children and young people often have additional problems, not least of which is a checkered educational past. Many have moved from school to school, often falling behind in basic skills like reading and math; they may lack even basic supplies. And perhaps saddest of all, theyre sometimes teased by other kids because of their clothes or lack of other "cool stuff." "Hope House provides more than emergency shelter," says Vicky Hermann, case manager at the facility. She works on programs for both young children and high school students, providing space for and help with homework, tutoring in remedial reading and math, reading aloud sessions, and having the children read aloud to her. This is where Books for Kids comes in. Having received 400 books for the children and youth who come to the shelter, Vicki is	able to give here young charges brand new, high quality books. "When I hand out the books, I receive a lot of squeals and aah's and ooh's and simple amazement that these books belong to them. And always a lot of hugs and thank-you's. One of my biggest thrills is to let a child or teen pick out a book of their choice and watch as they caress each book as if it is a buried treasure that has just been discovered." "Who would want to give me a book?" one astonished child asks. "Are you sure it's OK that I keep it?" another wonders. "It's really mine forever and ever!" a little girl exclaims. "I can't believe it's mine!" says a thrilled young boy. These are typical reactions by the children and young people who receive the excellent new books that Books for Kids gives away by the thousands each year. Underscoring our philosophy that underprivileged children have had enough of hand-me-downs and cast-offs, Vicki emphasizes that the kids are most grateful that for once they are getting something brand new! Books for Kids is providing more than something to read. It's giving hope and affirmation to children in need of both.
Books for Kids, Erie Chapter P.O. Box 3059 Erie, PA 16508 (814) 898-6214 ________



Thanks to you, BFK works! Thank-You's From Irving Elementary School We at Books for Kids don't often get to see our books being given to the kids, but sometimes the school or agency asks them to write us thank-you notes. Obviously, we love to get these, and as another way of demonstrating the effect our books can have, we include some examples from the pupils at Irving Elementary. Dear Books for Kids: I am going to read your books that you gave to me. I hope I pick a good one to read. I LOVE BOOKS. They make you very smart and you learn a lot of stuff. Thank you for the books that we are going to read. I will read them all the time, and I will show my friends the books. I love cats so I hope you have some cat books. Thank you for the books to read. THANK YOU SO MUCH! Unsigned To: Books for Kids From: Aleysha Yay! Thank you very much for all of the books. I like it very much. Love, Aleysha Thank you very much!!!! Thank you for the birthday books. They are great. I like it a	lot. Maybe I could get you one some day. You have the best book's ever made. I love your book's. Thank you very very much for the book's. My name is Meghan. Dear Books for Kids: I am going to be 8 in Jluy. [sic] I'm going to get a Franklin book. From Scott. Love Another Spelling Bee in 2008 Mark Your Calendar The first annual Books for Kids Spelling Bee at Junior's Last Laugh was such a success, that we are already planning another for 2008. The date chosen is March 11, 2008, and once again our hosts will be the good and good-humored people at Jr's Last Laugh on State Street. So mark your calendar now, and plan to attend the second annual spelling bee. It's a night of good food, great costumes, able spellers, and lots of just plain fun. See you there! Hats Off To Anna McCartney And the Times-News News in Education Program Regular readers of the Erie Times-News no doubt know about its News in Education program, which encourages parents and students to read for fun and information. A recent column by Anna McCartney highlights the important work of educator Jim Trelease in raising the importance of reading to children as an important step in school readiness, literacy, and success in later life. She reminds readers of two of his books, "The Read-Aloud Handbook" and "Hey!	Listen to This." Readers of these newsletters may want to consult these books for further information about the importance of in-home reading and for ideas about books they might want to purchase for their children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Anna also recently published an interesting interview with children's author Beverly Cleary, whose own struggles in learning to read give heart to parents and kids for whom reading does not come easily. Also check out Cleary's books, most famously the "Ramona" series and the "Ralph S. Mouse" series. Welcome New Board Member Jane Hackenberg At its last regular meeting, Books for Kids board members welcomed a new member, Jane Hackenberg. Jane is a 1977 graduate of Edinboro University and currently a Learning Support instructor at Iroquis High. Last fall she began gratuate study in reading at Edinboro, where she met board member Dr. Mary Jo Melvin. However, Jane was already familiar with the work of Books for Kids, as she had obtained our books for her inner city Girl Scout troop, and then later through her work at Henderson United Methodist Church. "Reading is one of my passions and some of the homes of the families I know have few or no books. The Girl Scouts are older now and I encourage them to read to their nieces and nephews and cousins. I believe in the
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importance of reading and having books available in the home." She goes on to praise the way Books for Kids operates: "The form and procedures are simple and organized. All the kids get books. . . and you can pick out books that match the reading levels and interests of your kids. The books are new. . . and there is a nice variety, including ethnic books, Newberry [award winners], picture books, and various reading levels." Jane is married and has three grown children. We welcome her to our board and look forward to working with her. Workshop Planned for September 25 We are always interested in expanding our list of participating agencies. To that end, Books for Kids is sponsoring a lunch-time workshop on Tuesday, September 25 at our new headquarters, Bethany Outreach Center, 254 East 10^th St. Lunch will be provided. Although we welcome any agency interested in learning more about our programs, we are especially inviting agencies that work in the homes of needy children. We want to put our books directly into the children's hands and to have care givers work with parents on making reading aloud a part of their daily routine. Anyone interested in attending should call Dean Baldwin at 898-6214 to make a reservation. G.E. Again Matches Employees' Contributions The General Electric foundation has once again	honored Books for Kids with a generous contribution of over $1,400 for 2007. This amount matches the gifts of GE employees and retirees, led by a substantial contribution from the Marion Hasslacher fund. GE employees and retirees (including widows and widowers) may participate in this important program by sending a contribution to Books for Kids, Erie Chapter, and then contacting GE to record the gift. This may be done either by calling GE at 1-800-305-0669 or by going on line to the GE web site. Many thanks to the good folk in Erie and at the GE Foundation! Thanks to New and Renewing Members Major Contributors $250.^oo+ Lord Corporation Steris Employees Good Neighbor Fund Benefactors $100.^oo+ Dean & Vicki Baldwin Greene Township Lioness Club Richard Laurie Patrons $50.^oo+ Greg & Gayle Morris St. Luke Food Pantry South End Benefit Association Sponsors $25.^oo+ Mr. & Mrs. F. Brundige Amy Daugherty Ralph & Jeanne Eckert Louise Welter Garrelts Dr. Carl & Wendy Kallgren T. Lewandowski-Temple Board Timothy & Cheryl Maloney M. K. Mehler	Dr. Mary Jo Melvin Neil & Patricia Milligan D. & C. Osiecki St. Benedict Education Center Friends $10.^oo+ J. & S. Dale Jan Gatti Earleen Glaser Margaret Stewart We're All Volunteer We like to remind our donors that BFK is an all-volunteer organization. We have no paid staff, so all our income goes to buying books or for direct program costs such a rent, printing, postage, and insurance. We use your money wisely! Share This Newsletter Word of mouth is the best advertising any business or charity can get. If you know someone who would be interested in hearing about the work of Books for Kids, or if you know of an agency that could qualify to receive our books, please pass this newsletter along. We would always be willing to send a newsletter to a prospective member or recipient agency, so if you would like to reach out to somone, please call us at 898-6214, or drop us a line a P. O. Box 3059, Erie, PA 16508. As Always, Thanks for Your Support!
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The Books for Kids Foundation, Erie Chapter P.O. Box 3059 Erie, PA 16508	Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Erie, PA Permit No. 943
WON'T YOU PLEASE HELP US? Please use this coupon to lend us your support. The children and youth of Erie County will thank you. [Has your membership expired? The date on the mailing label indicates your last donation.] ____ Major Donor $250+ ____ Benefactor $100+ ____ Patron $50+ ____ Sponsor $25+ ____ Friend $10+ Mail the completed form and check payable to "Books for Kids, Erie Chapter," P.O. Box 3059 Erie, PA 16508. Donations to Books for Kids are tax deductible for those who itemize.
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