Submitted by Assistance League of Bellingham
Perhaps in the bank of your childhood memories you can recall your bedtime routine, when you felt safe and loved as you had your favorite book read to you. You might not have understood all the words, but you loved the variety of sounds and emotions and pictures. Not just at bedtime but throughout your day, if books were accessible in your home, you were one of the fortunate children.
For other children from economically disadvantaged families, too often their life offered no accessible books nor a happy bedtime story, but sleep came as an escape from reality.
Fortunately for all children, school offers an opportunity to open the world of reading and with it an opportunity to expand their life experience.
Transforming Lives • Strengthening Community
Through the work of our program, Books and Beyond, Assistance League of Bellingham responds to our mission by coordinating with local school districts as well as other local nonprofits for the promotion of literacy programs.
The program is divided into three segments:
1. Some members tutor children in the classroom.
2. Another group works with the distribution of used children’s books that are donated to the chapter.
A moment of appreciation: In looking through the books donated for distribution, it is often a welcomed experience when we come across inscriptions.
“Today a reader. Tomorrow a leader.”
“This was my favorite book when I was your age. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!”
3. And finally, the committee works together to determine how to buy new books for other nonprofits and for the classroom or library of public schools within Whatcom County.
For the years 2024-25, Assistance League of Bellingham has allocated the following total funds for new books:
- For Bellingham and Whatcom County Elementary Schools: $7,750.00
- For Bellingham and Whatcom County Middle Schools: $4,400.00
The financial support for this program is primarily funded by you, our customers, who shop at our Thrift & Gift Shop. As we are an all-volunteer organization, every dollar received is returned to the community.
It can be hard to quantify the true value of an excellent book – especially for those who love reading. It can be like trying to measure the value of a good friend. But like a good friend, a book whether it is new or old, enriches one’s life with sustaining experiences.
Working Together…Making a Difference
Assistance League of Bellingham has been successfully making a difference in Whatcom County for 42 years.
You can support us by:
- making a donation on Assistance League of Bellingham’s website
- mailing a check to: Assistance League of Bellingham, P.O. Box 2998, Bellingham WA 98227
- shopping on our eBay site by clicking on this eBay direct link to alb_thriftshop.
- shopping at our Thrift & Gift Shop, 2718 Meridian Street, Bellingham WA 98225
- becoming an Assistance League of Bellingham member volunteer
Learn more about us at www.assistanceleague.org/bellingham
