In collaboration with the classroom teacher, committee members volunteer to read virtually or in classrooms on a one-to-one basis or to read to classroom reading groups. They may choose to read in a class where they have a grandchild or in a neighborhood school close to them.
Last year, Operation School Bell provided over 8,000 students across 160 local schools with new clothing and shoes- boosting their confidence, fostering a sense of belonging, and supporting their success in school.
Our philanthropy takes inspiration from Jim Trelease, the champion of reading aloud to children for forty years. In 1979 he self-published The Read Aloud Handbook. His first edition led to nearly two million copies sold worldwide including those translated into many foreign languages. Jim Trelease included a well-known poem by Strickland Gillilan in the introduction to his handbook:
You may have tangible wealth untold:
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be-
I had a mother who read to me.
Book Buddies has been the recipient of several grants to purchase new books to be given to students. A Scholastic K-2 Book Grant, for example, provided 400 books for K-2 students in classes where volunteers read books. Our philanthropy Sneakers for Military Preschoolers shared 33 zoo books for volunteers to read to classes and leave behind for future student enjoyment.