Celebrating the life and legacy of Bernie Jr.
It is with heavy hearts that we share news of Bernie Floriani Jr.’s passing. Bernie was a beloved son of our namesake Dr. Bernard P. Floriani and Cathy Floriani and a cherished brother of our Founder Brian Floriani and Lindsey Floriani Arterburn.
YOU CAN CHANGE THEIR STORY
Children are urgently in need of quality reading material. As an essential service to the community, Bernie’s Book Bank is hard at work during the COVID-19 pandemic safely and efficiently distributing free books to the children who need us most. Since the start of our COVID-19 response we’ve distributed more than 760,000 FREE BOOKS!
To support our COVID-19 response we launched the “Change Their Story” campaign. Please consider a $12 donation to Bernie’s Book Bank in support of our mission which is truly critical for the more than 275,000 under-served children who receive our books. Together we can “Change Their Story.”
COVID-19 Response
Since the start of our COVID-19 response, we’ve distributed more than 760,000 FREE BOOKS to local under-served children.
CHANGE THEIR STORY
Every $12 donation provides 12 books for a local under-served child.
Books for a Better Life
2 out of 3 low-income children have no books of their own. Bernie’s Book Bank, Chicago's largest provider of quality children’s books, is changing that with 12 books per year for 12 years. Donate Books NowInvest in Children18,417,017
BOOKS DISTRIBUTED SINCE 2009
The Need
1:300
ratio of books per child in low-income neighborhoods
61%
low-income homes that do not have children’s books
2/3
students who cannot read proficiently by the end of the 4th grade will end up in jail or on welfare
The Impact
Quality Books Distributed Since 2009
Children Served With 12 Quality Books Annually
Volunteers Annually
Years of Books
Cost (in cents) to source, process & distribute each quality book
Who we are
Bernie’s Book Bank sources, processes and distributes quality children’s books to significantly increase book ownership among under-served infants, toddlers and school-age children throughout Chicagoland.
What we value
Moving children from poverty to gaining knowledge through reading which enables a legitimate pursuit of happiness.
Why we do it
We believe that books and reading are both the vehicle and the road to a better life.
We appreciate our corporate sponsors
HOST YOUR EVENT AT BERNIE’S BOOK BANK
Support our mission by using our flexible & unique event spaces. Our venue offers amenities and flexibility to make your corporate meetings, mitzvah celebrations, weddings & any event perfect!
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Join The Movement
Donate Books
We accept all gently used & new children’s books for ages birth-sixth grade
Invest In Children
Support the 275,000 under-served Chicagoland children who receive books from Bernie’s Book Bank
