Donations

CLNmembers have proven themselves to be generous and caring individuals, frequently stepping up to the challenge to bring not only books but also their time and efforts to numerous projects.

We offer here a list of projects or causes to which you may be interested in contributing.

CLNdoes not suggest that you take part in any particular effort. We offer this information so you can learn more about each project and make your own decision.

Only CLN members may submit projects for this Donations page.

Tornado Destroys Middle School in Mena, Arkansas

When CLN member Nikki Grimes visited the middle school in Mena, Arkansas in early April 2009, she had no foreshadowing that a tornado would devastate the town only nine days later. Three people lost their lives. One thousand homes were destroyed. The middle school Nikki had visited was leveled.

"In Mena, as many as 300 seventh- and eighth-graders will attend classes at an old middle school in Hatfield, and about 165 sixth-graders will go to Dallas Avenue Baptist Church for the remaining six weeks of the school year, said Debra Parnell, administrative assistant to the superintendent." —Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Although much of the library collection survived, their classroom book collections were all lost. Nikki encourages you to help them rebuild their middle school classroom collections with book donations, whatever you might send in the way of new or very gently used books that would interest middle school students.

Donations may be sent to:

Jimma Holder
Literacy Specialist
Mena Public Schools
501 Hickory
Mena, AR 71953

Books on the Beat

We saw an article in the Omaha World-Herald News and we believe our members will be interested in donating books, particularly for younger children. We called the police department to get their permission to send donations.

Police officers in North Platte, Nebraska, will hand out children's books to children they meet while on duty. The Friends of the North Platte Library and Police Chief Martin Gutschenritter met to work out this plan. The Friends donated $250 toward the purchase of books and A to Z Books, a used bookstore, has donated books.

"Our officers often end up in homes for a variety of reasons," Gutschenritter said. "There are often small children present, and a notable absence of reading material." The police chief got the idea from a fellow chief he met at a convention. "The only cost to the city will be a few minutes of our officer's time. I can't think of a better way for our officers to spend a few minutes."

Interested in donating books? Send (new books only, please ... autographed books will be appreciated) them to:

Books on the Beat
Attn: Troy
North Platte Police Department
701 S Jeffers Street
PO Box 1458
North Platte NE 69101

more about Ron Hirschi

500 Brushes

I visit schools throughout the United States. One of the most troubling problems I see is the disparity between poorly funded and abundantly funded schools. Art seems to suffer most, even in fairly wealthy neighborhoods. In my home state of Washington, it is rare to find an art teacher in an elementary school. And when art is missing, kids simply do not learn as well and certainly stumble when others flourish with arts in their midst.

500 BRUSHES is a project aimed at calling attention to the lack of art education.

I'm asking picturebook illustrators and other artists to donate USED paintbrushes.Each time I receive 500 brushes, I will bundle them up and donate them along with other art supplies to an underserved school.

This may be a small step, but it can begin to call attention to the importance of art. It can also begin to build small art centers and art rooms in elementary schools.

Thanks for your help!

500 BRUSHES
c/o Ron Hirschi
PO Box 899
Hadlock, Washington 98339

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