The following article was written by MPL Public Services Associate, Tony Plekan.
Owning a book is one of the best ways to help a child develop their imagination and teach them about the world. Reading regularly is also a fantastic way to promote a child’s self-esteem. Unfortunately, there are many kids in Manitowoc County who, due to circumstances beyond their control, are unable to afford a book of their own. Manitowoc Public Library is asking for your help as we collect books for children of economically-challenged families in our community.
Manitowoc Public Library is running our “Best Gift Ever” book drive for local families in need. From November 6 through December 8, Manitowoc Public Library will be accepting donations of new children’s books that will be given away to kids exclusively in Manitowoc County.
In 2022, the Best Gift Ever campaign collected over 700 books! Manitowoc Public Library thanks everyone who participated last year and we hope that in 2023 we can continue to work together to get books into the hands of our community’s youth.
How You Can Help:
- Come to the Manitowoc Public Library from November 6 through December 8 with a new, unwrapped children’s book to donate. Place your donation in the large present box near the Main Service Desk. All donations will be given to four local nonprofits for distribution.
- All types of books are welcome. Whether it is a picture, board, chapter, or young adult book, it will go a long way to helping our area’s youth. The greater variety of books donated (reading level, subject, etc.), the more kids we’ll be able to help. These must be new books, because these kids deserve something that is truly theirs, something they can call their own.
- You may also support Best Gift Ever with a monetary contribution. These funds go towards purchasing new kids’ books for donation. For checks, please make your donation out to “Friends of Manitowoc Public Library” and in the note field write “Best Gift Ever.” Please have your monetary donations to Manitowoc Public Library by November 27 in order for us to order the books for a December delivery.
Manitowoc County Nonprofits:
We are donating to Hope House, InCourage, the Salvation Army of Manitowoc County, and Lakeshore Foster Family & Friends. Your gift will directly benefit local kids. I would like to share with you a little more about these organizations.
- Hope House
1000 S 35th Street, Manitowoc WI 54220—(920) 686-1436
Hope House provides overnight accommodations for individuals and their families who are experiencing homelessness. They offer assistance with locating more stable housing arrangements, a variety of job and skills training, and referrals to other community agencies.
- InCourage
300 E Reed Avenue, Manitowoc WI 54220—(920) 684-5770
InCourage provides shelter to individuals and their families who have experienced domestic abuse. InCourage is a safe space where these individuals receive housing, food, clothing, and access to support programs.
- The Salvation Army of Manitowoc County
415 N 6th Street, Manitowoc WI 54220—(920) 684-7117
The Salvation Army of Manitowoc County has a multitude of programs throughout the year focused on collecting essential goods such as food, toiletries, and clothing for the less fortunate. They provide coats, toys, and books to kids throughout Manitowoc County.
- Lakeshore Foster Families & Friends
1011 Washington Street, Suite 6, Manitowoc WI 54220—(920) 860-8122
Tony Plekan
Lakeshore Foster Families & Friends is a nonprofit organization supporting children in foster and kinship care by raising awareness and providing needed and deserved resources and support. They strive to ensure that all children who experience out-of-home care have childhood opportunities that lead to a bright future.
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness or is in need, we strongly encourage you to seek out these resources. You can find more information about these and other community resources on MPL’s website at www.manitowoclibrary.org/resources/community.
Your donation will help make this holiday season a little brighter for these kids, as well as help guide them towards a lifelong love of reading. Reading really does have a tremendous impact on a child’s intellectual development, while also boosting their confidence. If you would like to contribute, please bring your donation of new children’s books to Manitowoc Public Library between November 6 and December 8.
Manitowoc Public Library thanks you for your generosity and your support.
