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Check out the latest news from Bernie’s Book Bank!

2021 Storybook Festival

2021 Storybook Festival

Bernie's Book Bank welcomed children and families to the inaugural Storybook Festival on May 22, 2021. This new event celebrates the fun and magic of storybooks in support of our mission to increase book ownership among under-served children throughout Chicagoland. It...

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Patrick Mannelly Award Names 2020 Winner

Patrick Mannelly Award Names 2020 Winner

On Saturday, January 9th, the 2020 Patrick Mannelly Award ceremony was livestreamed from Bernie’s Book Bank in Lake Bluff. The Patrick Mannelly Award, presented by William Blair, is named after former Chicago Bears Long Snapper Patrick Mannelly. Mannelly is widely...

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The Quest For One Million Books

The Quest For One Million Books

A typical Bernie’s Book Bank book drive lasts a couple of weeks and brings in a few thousand books. The Wilkov family book drive is anything but typical. They have collected 700,000 books for Bernie’s book Bank in the past nine years and they’re not finished yet. The...

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One Day Book Drive At Big Hollow

One Day Book Drive At Big Hollow

On June 23rd, Bernie’s Book Bank tested a new type of children’s book drive at Big Hollow Primary School in Ingleside. The one day event and featured a convenient drive thru book drop. Book donors simply pulled up in front of the school and Bernie’s Book Bank team...

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Literacy Is A Constitutional Right

Literacy Is A Constitutional Right

Bernie’s Book Bank was built upon the idea that owning quality books enables under-served children to read their way to a better life. In short, we believe in #fREADom for ALL children.For this reason, we are excited to share news of a landmark decision...

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Inaugural Patrick Mannelly Award A Success

Inaugural Patrick Mannelly Award A Success

On Saturday, December 14th, Bernie’s Book Bank welcomed nearly 150 guests for the inaugural Patrick Mannelly Award presented by William Blair. This award, named after former Chicago Bears long snapper Patrick Mannelly, is given to the best FBS senior Long...

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Creating Community: Chapter 5

Creating Community: Chapter 5

Bill is an educator, lifelong learner and a proud Bernie’s Book Bank volunteer.His career in education spans more than 15 years including five years as a teacher at Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and 12 years at Lake Forest Academy. As a high school teacher...

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Bernie’s Book Bank Wins Blue Hen Award

Bernie’s Book Bank Wins Blue Hen Award

Bernie’s Book Bank has been recognized as a Blue Hen 17&43 award winner. This prestigious award recognizes growing companies founded or led by University of Delaware alumni. Our very own Founder and Chief Advancement Officer, Brian Floriani graduated...

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Creating Community: Chapter 4

Creating Community: Chapter 4

Every Tuesday at 11 a.m. all-star volunteer Dominique arrives at Bernie’s Book Bank with a bright smile, ready to volunteer. Dominique was first introduced to Bernie's Book Bank in 2014 when she joined an adult day program after graduating school. She and...

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2019 Book Lovers’ City Lunch

2019 Book Lovers’ City Lunch

More than 160 guests attended the 5th Annual Book Lovers’ City Lunch presented by KPMG and William Blair on Wednesday, October 23rd. Bernie’s Book Bank was honored to host best-selling author Marie Benedict and educator Vonyell Foster. Both...

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Drive N’ Dine: Epic Deli

Drive N’ Dine: Epic Deli

Epic Deli* of McHenry is one of the most stylishly unique eateries our Book Team has had the privilege of sampling. Visually, it presents customers with a vibrant graffiti style color scheme peppered with artistic caricatures of monster, food hybrids. It...

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Spooktacular Volunteering Returns

Spooktacular Volunteering Returns

Join Bernie’s Book Bank for a spooktacular volunteer session! Enjoy jamming out to the Monster Mash and more wicked tunes as you prepare BOOks for the at-risk Chicagoland children Bernie’s Book Bank serves. Come dressed in your best costume for a Halloween...

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2019 Birdies & Books

2019 Birdies & Books

More than 200 players teed off on Monday, October 7th for the annual Birdies & Books Charity Golf Classic. It was a perfect fall day for 18 holes of competitive and meaningful golf at Shoreacres. 2019 marks the 10th anniversary of Bernie's Book Bank....

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Sponsor A Book

Sponsor A Book

Bernie’s Book Bank is excited to unveil a “Sponsor A Book” program that aims to increase the number of books distributed that feature diverse characters and story lines. Educators will tell you that while all children need books that act as windows to new worlds,...

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2019 Astellas Changing Tomorrow Day

2019 Astellas Changing Tomorrow Day

More than 100 Astellas employees stepped away from the office on Wednesday, September 18th to volunteer at Bernie’s Book Bank as part of the 10th annual Changing Tomorrow Day. Changing Tomorrow Day is a series of volunteer events for Astellas employees to...

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Drive N’ Dine: Augustino’s

Drive N’ Dine: Augustino’s

Augustino’s Rock and Roll Deli and Grill of West Chicago offers a variety of awe inspiring meal options. A family owned deli operation dedicated to exceptional food and service set amidst rock and roll music and memorabilia, this establishment serves up...

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Drive N’ Dine: Algonquin Sub Shop

Drive N’ Dine: Algonquin Sub Shop

Algonquin Sub Shop* of Algonquin is one of the team’s top picks for a delectable sandwich. Algonquin Sub Shop, as seen on Chicago’s best with Brittney Payton, is home to one of the widest and unique sandwich collections the book squad has had the pleasure...

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Books For Buckets Returns

Books For Buckets Returns

Rose Pest Solutions and Northwestern Athletics have teamed up again to support Bernie’s Book Bank as a part of the Books for Buckets program. Throughout 2018-19 season Rose Pest Solutions donated 12 children’s books for every three-point basket the...

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8 Pieces of Advice from 8 Interns

8 Pieces of Advice from 8 Interns

Bernie’s Book Bank is proud to offer internships to qualified high school and university students who are interested in using their time and talent to support our mission of increasing book ownership among at-risk Chicagoland children. Internship positions...

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Back-to-School Book Donations

Back-to-School Book Donations

Back-to-school season is on the mind. Talk of how fast summer went and how people can’t believe it’s already the end of August is coupled with a lengthy list of all things to do before the school year is in full swing. As you start the process of clearing...

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Drive N’ Dine: Tony’s Subs

Drive N’ Dine: Tony’s Subs

Tony’s Subs of Deerfield* is a Bernie’s Book Bank driver find that deserves a week in the spotlight. Proud to claim they have the best subs hot or cold in town, our drivers can’t help but think they just might be right. This local sub shop has been run by...

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Drive N’ Dine: Papa Marcos

Drive N’ Dine: Papa Marcos

Papa Marcos* is a family-owned gem of a Mediterranean style eatery located in downtown Waukegan. Their top-notch service delivers on their mission to provide an informal dining experience that makes people feel at home. Papa Marcos serves up everything...

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Volunteer Downtown at Macy’s

Volunteer Downtown at Macy’s

Bernie’s Book Bank is heading downtown August 26-30 for a unique volunteer opportunity at Macy’s on State Street in Chicago. Gather friends, family, and coworkers for this convenient opportunity to give back to Chicagoland children without the hassle of...

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Creating Community: Chapter 3

Creating Community: Chapter 3

"Everything happens for a reason." It's the type of phrase that a freshman in college gets tattooed on their ribs in flowing script, the type of phrase a grandparent optimistically proclaims when a child spills their freshly prepared ice cream all over the...

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A Note-Worthy Story: Bill Nixon

A Note-Worthy Story: Bill Nixon

His name is Bill Nixon. If you have ever stepped foot into the processing center of Bernie's Book Bank, you have seen him. Alright, maybe you haven't seen him. But you have definitely heard him. It is the voice that many volunteers hear before, during and...

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Bernie’s Book Bank is an irreplaceable resource for the students of Zion Elementary.  For the staff, giving the kids this resource can mean the difference between kids getting nightly reading practice or not.

Lori A. Cramer

School Social Worker, Elmwood Elementary School