February 22, 2010
As you know, I like to donate, whenever and however I can, to good causes. Sometimes the cause is tragedy. Sometimes the cause is an ongoing struggle, against cancer, against discrimination, against the “lesser” wrongs, for a better world.
Education is a worthy cause but I’m clearly not at Fund A Scholarship level. Teachers, however, I can help in little ways. With the myriad demands on their time, energy, and creativity, many teachers also face out-of-pocket expenses for classroom and administrative supplies: pens, notebook paper, copy paper, books. Fellow blogger-educators E.C., Frugal Scholar, TeawithBuzz, TeacHer Finance and others can certainly attest to the extra expenses expected of teachers. Knowing that, I’ve always sent any of my personal overages of office supplies to local teachers but wished there was a more substantial way to help.
Now there is!
My teacher friend just told me about a really cool program at his local used bookstore. When they buy books, one of the ways they offer payment is in store credit instead of cash. This bookstore, however, takes that concept one step further. They accept/buy books from patrons as usual. For those who wish to donate, their store credit is added to the School Fund. When teachers come in to buy books for their classrooms, they receive a discount in proportion to the current state of the School Fund. He’s received 25% off, 50% off, sometimes just a stack of bookmarks for the classroom.
He’s building his own classroom library which is, to my mind, a far better literacy advocacy device than any standardized test, and I’ll be taking my next stack of books to donate over to that Book Rack.
Good teachers are a rarity in our (in my opinion) overly standardized school system that elevates test scores above motivation, innovation, and inspiration. I’ve had few great teachers, but their life lessons, not just their lesson plans, have remained with me long past the time we spent in the classroom together. Good teachers with good books? Nirvana.
I would love to round up books in the SoCal area for a bigger donation, but I’m not sure how realistic that is.
January 17, 2010
Daily exercise update, Friday: Ankle weights were not the death of me but they were put up for the day. No use tempting fate, after all. Walked many many blocks in kitten heels post-meeting searching for the perfect grill pan, and even did one set of these stairs. Never found the pan and was pooped the rest of the day.
Daily exercise update, Saturday: Walked to an enormous park with muddy hills and watched dogs chase each other and other various oddments for hours. Stopped at a mall and discount store afterward and logged a few more almost leisurely miles.
Helping abroad: The devastation in Haiti breaks my heart, and the ensuing chaos of trying to get aid to the island and set up infrastructure has been frustrating.
After much contemplation about the donation options available, I’ve decided to support the Haiti cause by donating to Doctors without Borders. I’m skipping the quick and easy donation options like texting because I need to know the money is being sent directly and immediately to the right people. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to minimize the time and maximize the money. To further stretch the donation dollars, I’ve asked a friend whose company matches donations up to a certain dollar amount each year to donate through his work for me. It’ll be in his name, but that’s a worthwhile trade-off of a tax deduction for essentially doubling the pot.
Doctors without Borders on Charity Navigator.
Things to consider: I love The Lost Goat’s timing and thoughtfulness on this subject. She covers some essential concerns I had to address before making my donation decision. Number four is why I’m not donating to the American Red Cross and several other charities during this time.
Also, be sure to check Flexo’s post on Safe Donations to Victims of the Earthquake in Haiti.
November 20, 2009
On my string of errands, I ran across a fantastic bit of news about my local library. The thing that always bothered me about donating old books was that they would inevitably end up on the sale shelf where it would bring in a hefty revenue of ten, fifteen or twenty-five cents. Two dollars if it was a paperback. It’s still income, but it felt like kind of a meager thing.
Now, not only can you still support them in the traditional ways, they’ve added the option of donating new books to the library via an Amazon Wish List! That’s pretty awesome.
Books purchased from the wish list are mailed directly to the Library, and a book plate stating that it was a donation is placed inside. At the point of sale, you’ve got the option of selecting a personalized book plate to dedicate your gift, or asking to be the first borrower of that book. Once the book is processed, you’ll be notified that the book is on hold for you. In this electronic age, I love that we’re able to use technology to help the lending library. And remember: your purchase is a tax deductible donation.
Other ways our library appreciates help
- Volunteering: to help around the library; for the Adult Literacy Tutoring Program; with the Book Cellar program
- The usual old book donation method. Anything they can’t shelve for lending purposes goes into the Friends of the Library Book Cellar Sale
- Buy books from the Book Cellar Sale
- Become a member of the Friends of the Public Library organization: you pay dues, and volunteer time raising money for the library
- Donating to the Endowment Fund by purchasing equipment, furniture, etc. that are already existing in the library, and making the item a gift in perpetuity.
- Purchase a book plate that will be affixed to a new hard cover book at the library with any name you like.
I love my hometown library. I spent days holed up in there during elementary school summers, and lugged a metric ton of books to and fro over the years. I’d like to be able to give back in a substantial and long-lasting way, and donating new books that other people can enjoy is right up my alley.
If you’ve benefited from the library’s lending, please consider supporting them in some small way within your means. Public libraries do a lot of good, and they deserve our patronage.
