June 26, 2017
Written by Katie Kuhn, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
After the turmoil in Milwaukee’s Sherman Park neighborhood during the summer of 2016, New Berlin parent Beth felt moved to do something to support children who may not be as lucky as her own. “We are a fortunate community, and I thought that the students and parents at our local school might be interested in sharing that good fortune with others,” says Beth.
Beth’s two daughters attend Orchard Lane Elementary School, which holds an annual buy-one-get-one-free book fair for students and parents. Beth approached the Parent Faculty Council about running a donation drive during this sale where participants had the option to donate their free books.
The Orchard Lane principal and Parent Faculty Council were enthusiastic about the idea, so Beth got to work. Unsure of where exactly to donate the books, Beth reached out to United Way.
Jim McLaughlin, Education Portfolio Manager at United Way, told Beth about the work United Way was doing through the My Very Own Library free book giveaway initiatives. Jim also pointed out that, while there is certainly a need for books for students in Milwaukee, there is similar need at some schools in Waukesha County. “I was surprised,” said Beth, “I thought, ‘who is in need in Waukesha County?’”
Jim connected the dots between Orchard Lane’s book drive and Whittier Elementary School, which serves many students whose families may not have the resources to buy them new books. With this donation, Whittier students would get to pick out brand new books to build their own home libraries.
Coincidentally, the week of the book fair was also Leadership Week at Orchard Lane. To promote the book donation drive, the student council elected six student leaders to go around to every classroom and encourage students to participate. “We were very clear that this was optional. It makes it so much easier to give back when you are already getting a free book,” said Beth.
The donation drive at the book fair was a great success, with students and parents donating 145 free books, worth over $1,000, to kids at Whittier Elementary School. From Kindergarten to 6th grade, every level of book was donated, and every person who donated a book was invited to sign a poster to be displayed in the school.
Beth's first-grade daughter, Sonia, gave the donation drive “two thumbs up. The other kids who donated books said they loved their books and knowing that they had donated a book to someone who needs it.”
“I loved it,” said Viviann, Beth’s kindergartener, “because I was giving something to someone in need.”
“It made me feel good that we could come together as a school community and run with this idea,” reflects Beth. “It was such a positive experience for those that participated. I appreciated the United Way help to make this simple and seamless. They helped us get the books to neighbors that needed it.”
Beth is working with Orchard Lane on next year’s book donation drive. “Doing something like this really raises awareness of how lucky we are. It is so great to teach our kids that, when you have plenty, it’s nice to have the opportunity to give back.”
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Learn more about United Way’s Readers United initiative: connecting books to kids and kids to books.