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Bernie’s Book Bank, the leading provider of books to at-risk Chicagoland children, will host its spring benefit on May 3rd, 2019. The Book Lovers’ Events, held at Bernie’s Book Bank in Lake Bluff, are two signature events featuring an award-winning speaker. The breakfast event begins at 8 a.m. followed by a lunch event at noon.

NASA astronaut and award-winning author, Clayton “Astro Clay” Anderson will headline the 2019 events. Anderson, Nebraska’s only astronaut, spent 167 days in space and executed 6 spacewalks consisting of 38 hours and 28 minutes. He applied to be an astronaut with NASA 15 times, prior to being selected in 1998, and has spent over 30 years working for NASA as an engineer and an astronaut.

Anderson is the author of the award-winning book, The Ordinary Spaceman: From Boyhood Dreams to Astronaut, and children’s books A is for Astronaut: Blasting Through the Alphabet and It’s a Question of Space: An Ordinary Astronaut’s Answers to Sometimes Extraordinary Questions.

As an author, Anderson recognizes the important role books play in a child’s life, including his own. “I have always been a dreamer…and the easiest way for me to dream, is while turning the pages of a book,” he shared.  

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the lunar landing and National Astronaut Day is observed on May 5th; Anderson will headline Book Lovers’ Events in celebration of these milestones.

Previous Book Lovers’ Events have featured outstanding authors since the benefit’s inception in 2012, including Mary Kubica, Melanie Benjamin, Jen Lancaster and Allison Pataki.

The mission of Bernie’s Book Bank is to source, process and distribute quality new and gently used children’s books to significantly increase book ownership among at-risk children throughout Chicagoland. All proceeds from Book Lovers’ Events will support the 360,000 local children that Bernie’s Book Bank serves.

Bernie’s Book Bank CEO, Darrin Utynek, shared his thoughts on the upcoming benefit. “Our Book Lovers’ Events are unique opportunities for our supporters to hear from a top-notch author. The events assist us in our mission to provide each child we serve with 12 books, annually,” Utynek said. “We are honored to have Clay become part of this incredible tradition.”

Want to support Bernie’s Book Bank by attending Book Lovers’ Events? Purchase your tickets today to reserve your spot at breakfast or lunch. 

Additionally, a limited number of sponsorships opportunities are available. Contact Nikki Bonamarte ([email protected]), Director of Development, to secure your sponsorship for Book Lovers’ Events.