ROTARY BOOKS FOR THE WORLD
CLICK HERE FOR 1 MILLION LBS. CELEBRATION!
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CLICK HERE FOR BOOK DONATION SPECIFICATIONS!
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OVERVIEW
The roots of the Wisconsin ROTARY BOOKS FOR THE WORLD initiative go back to a 2005 pilot project.
Based on the success of that effort, the program was adopted by the Madison Breakfast Rotary in 2007.
Books are collected from public and private schools, libraries, and individuals throughout Wisconsin.
More than 350 volunteers participate in the collecting, packing and sorting process each year.
Through June 2011, 425 tons of books have been shipped having a value of approximately $8.5 million.
The project is funded by donations and grants from individuals, businesses and foundations.
Who We Are
Books for the World is a literacy project that puts used books from the United States
that might otherwise be discarded into the hands of children in other countries which are
lacking in educational resources. Books for the World is coordinated throughout Wisconsin
by the Madison Breakfast Rotary.
What Do We Need?
Books
Textbooks of all kinds are collected, as well as reference books, teacher resources,
encyclopedias, and English dictionaries. Pre-school board books and children’s
story books are very much appreciated, as are educational magazines such as
National Geographic and Scientific American. Foreign language texts and adult fiction
and non-fiction are also needed. Books come from many sources including schools,
libraries, and individuals.
Volunteers
Thousands of hours of help are needed at the processing center in Middleton, Wisconsin
where books are sorted, packed, and palletized for international shipment. Volunteers include
individuals, service groups, sports teams, and corporate teams.
Donations
One of the most significant expenses is shipment of books from Madison to Houston, Texas.
We rely on donations to sustain the program, and strongly encourage contributions to
The Second Wind Foundation on behalf of the Wisconsin program.
Who Benefits?
Students and Young Children
Textbooks are distributed to schools in southern Africa, Pakistan, India, and Central
and South America. Children's books are given to families with young children. Some
children receive their first book from Books for the World.
Adults of All Ages
Fiction and non-fiction books are distributed to libraries, hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons.
You Can Help! Donate!
Rotarians are encouraged to participate through their local Wisconsin clubs.
Others may help by making a direct contribution of cash. You may also donate
books through our local Rotary club.
Tax-deductible donations are used to offset packing and shipping costs.
Mail your contribution to:
The Second Wind Foundation [a 501(c)(3) organization],
c/o Madison Breakfast Rotary,
P.O. Box 5524,
Madison, WI 53705.
Please indicate “Madison Operation” on the memo line of your check.
Thank you to book donors who have included: Kenosha Public Library, Art Buchanan, Ed Stevens, University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Dave Matteucci, Carthage College, Herzing University, and others who have donated at the Knight Barry office! Thanks too for storage provided by concerned friends of Rotary, including the Hallman Lindsay Paint Co., which transports books to its warehouse and ships them to Texas where they are packaged to send around the world.