A community, grassroots project to gather books to stock Little Free Libraries in Cleveland so kids could easily access a special read to grow literacy is now an eight-year-old nonprofit that collects more than 45,000 books every month. The name of the nonprofit is Kids’ Book Bank, and to date 4.4 million books have been distributed to children.
Throughout Greater Cleveland, there are 22 large blue book bins. A packed warehouse on MidTown’s Perkins Avenue welcomes hundreds of volunteers who sort titles according to age and ensure the books are gently used and in a condition that will bring pride to a young reader and family.
It all started with a batch of books.
Then, the initiative spread by word of mouth, social media and partnerships with schools, churches, social service agencies, food banks and other nonprofits. One idea grew into a voluminous movement filling a gap: simply getting kids books who might not otherwise have something to read.
Each book “becomes a real gift,” says Natalie Friedl, executive director of Kids’ Book Bank.
Getting involved is as simple as donating a book, signing up online for a shift to help sort or donating money to help fulfill the nonprofit’s mission. No matter your interests, what causes you to connect with deeply or the amount of spare time your week or year allows, there are many ways to make a real difference in the community.
All it takes is raising a hand and saying, “I can do that” at one of the region’s nonprofits or institutions.
Full STEAM Impact
Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) depends on volunteers for a range of events, exhibition setup and ongoing upkeep of the STEM destination. “We’ve benefited from retired professionals and educators who want to give back, and we now have a growing cohort of volunteers who are coming after work hours and students, and it’s a great mix in our galleries,” says Kirsten Ellenbogen, president and CEO.
If you like to talk science, build, get involved in a child’s wonder or just want to be behind the scenes at GLSC, there are so many ways.
Teamwork: Groups from local businesses can visit for a day and help paint and polish the William J. Mather steamship. “The amount of work and change that can happen with a dedicated group volunteering for a day is extraordinary,” Ellenbogen says.
Play Around: Join the guest engagement team of volunteers who specialize in various exhibits or departments. Interact with guests in the galleries, show and tell something you’ve learned. There are a lot of different volunteer opportunities available at GLSC. It does not need to be a long-term commitment. Sometimes volunteers are able to sign up to help for a single special event.
Build an Exhibition: GLSC enlists volunteers to help erect fascinating exhibitions, such as TapeScape, a two-level, 10,000 square-foot playscape made entirely out of packing tape.
Work Book Sales, Tutor or Share Your Vocation
Beyond books and information, Cleveland Public Library (CPL) houses engaging digital labs with computer services and food pantries and even a holiday shop stocked with used books, unique gifts and Cleveland-themed finds with proceeds supporting CPL.
Retail Ready? Interact with CPL guests, help visitors find a special book to take home and contribute as one of the cast of volunteers required to run book sales throughout the year.
Talk Shop: “At our Best Buy Teen Tech Center, we are looking for volunteer mentors every day in the IT, engineering and STEM fields to talk about their career journeys,” says Dr. Shenise Johnson Thomas, chief of external relations and development for CPL. “Share what obstacles you had to overcome, what you’ll learn if you have a career interest in IT and engineering, and how you paved a career path.”
Serve a Mission with Care
Malachi House was born from the giving hearts of Fr. Paul Hritz and the late Catherine (Kaki) O’Neill who often encountered homeless individuals dying under bridges, in abandoned cars and at the doorstep of St. Malachi Church. They started Malachi House as a loving home for life’s last journey.
House Helper: Make a difference by helping with everyday needs, from answering phones and the door to greeting visitors and hospice staff to performing kitchen duties including cooking, baking, meal prep, setting tables, preparing meal trays and cleanup. Also, individuals can help with pet, art and music therapy. Help with special events — or fold laundry and help clean house. Manage pantry donations (and contribute) and organize the stock.
Spiritual Presence: Vigil volunteers (with training) are company for actively dying or restless residents.
Work for Malachi House: Hospice volunteers and staff are vital to Malachi House, as are caregivers and caregiver assistants, which the organization mainly hires through Indeed and focuses on neighborhood men and women who want to give back. “It’s a beautiful thing to watch caregivers help us, along with the dedication of our volunteers and staff,” says Judy Ghazoul Hilow, executive director.
For the Love of Books
The easiest way to give back to Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank is to drop a cherished, gently used children’s book into one of the 22 large blue book bins throughout Greater Cleveland. Find a directory of locations at kidsbookbank.org/donate-books.
Hold a Book Drive: Organize a book collection initiative at a school, church, community organization or even your own book club. Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank will pick up the batch or you can bring it to the Perkins Avenue warehouse.
Sort and Stock: With more than 45,000 books per month to organize, if you have an hour or several, extra hands and eyes are important for make sure each donated book will feel new to its next recipient. Books are sorted by reading level. Off-site book distribution is also needed.
Sign Up Online: Volunteer spots fill up quickly and the nonprofit schedules all slots online at
kidsbookbank.org/volunteer.
Planning for Giving
There are a number of ways to plan for and finance a gift, and here are some strategies for giving back to an organization with a mission you connect to individually, as a family or as a corporation.
Retirement plans and life insurance: Name a nonprofit as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or a portion of retirement assets.
Charitable gift annuities: Arrange for a fixed income payment to make a large gift. The organization can invest in the fund, retain remaining funds after an annuity’s terms expire or upon your passing.
Charitable remainder trusts: This arrangement involves a gift of cash or securities in exchange for an income payment at a settled percentage of the principal. This can always be revalued or increased annually. Talk to your financial advisor about how to structure the trust.
Charitable lead trusts: You make payments to a nonprofit for a set number of years (term). At the end, payments are returned to you or beneficiaries.
