Chicagoland

HAND-DELIVERING FREE, HIGH-QUALITY BOOKS TO EMPOWER CHICAGOLAND’S CHILDREN

Since its founding in 2009, Bernie’s Book Bank has served countless children in Chicagoland. In 2024, local children attending over 950 Title 1 schools and early childhood programs received 2,409,599 free, age-appropriate, high-interest, and culturally relevant books.

The Chicagoland Chapter is powered annually by over 17,700 dedicated volunteers, collectively contributing over 46,801 volunteer hours.

Current counties served: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will.

EVERY DOLLAR YOU DONATE IS AN INVESTMENT IN CHANGING FUTURES

Books in a child’s home are the single biggest indicator of academic success — surpassing income, parents’ education, and all other factors. If you want to make a difference in children’s lives, now and in the future, there’s no better way than to help us get books into the homes and hands of children who need them most.

POWERED BY A PASSIONATE COLLECTIVE OF SUPPORTERS AND VOLUNTEERS

There are many ways to make a difference. Whether you’re sorting books in our Processing Center, hosting a community book drive, or joining a local event, your impact is immediate and meaningful.

Getting books into children’s homes changes their lives. And ours.

MAKE AN IMPACT
An adult volunteer smiles and hands a middle school-aged kid a green bag of Bernie's books

ONGOING LOCAL EVENTS AT BERNIE’S BOOK BANK

CHICAGOLAND’S LEADERSHIP TEAM AND ADVISORY BOARD

Leadership Team

KRISTEN DANIELS

Executive Director

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AMBER EMKEN

Director of Human Resources

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SARA GILBERTSON

Lead Gift Officer

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TOMMY LACHER

Director of Information Technology & Supply Chain

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MEGAN LANTZ

Senior Operations Manager

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MEGAN LEAHY

Director of Brand & Development

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Advisory Board

JEFF BURTELOW
(LOCAL LEAD)

Managing Director at William Blair & Company

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ROB ARMSTRONG

Chief Marketing Officer at Zebra Technologies Corporation

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AARON COX

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NICOLE JAGIELSKI

Senior Corporate Counsel at Zurich North America

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NICK JONES
(NATIONAL)

Chief Financial Officer at Aeris

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VIPA KAMDAR-COLLINS

Head of Credit Card Product, Loyalty & Engagement, SVP at Fifth Third Bank

ERIN KIRCHNER
(NATIONAL)

Partner at Cooley LLP

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DON MALIN

Retired Medline

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PATRICK MANNELLY

Retired Chicago Bears

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PHIL MENZEL
(NATIONAL)

Partner at JM Search

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ZAK MIRKOWSKI

Executive Managing Director, Savills

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TANUSREE MISRA

Vice President, Dermatology Psoriatic, US Immunology at AbbVie

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USHA PATIL

Chief Insurance Officer, VSP at Vision Care

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GRACE RIES

Head of Property Underwriting U.S. Middle Market, Zurich North America

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JASON RIES

Vice President, Client Service Manager, FM

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AL ROSS

Vice President of Sales at All Surfaces, Inc

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KRISTIE VAINIKOS STEGEN
(NATIONAL)

Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Cotality

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LYNN VAN CLEAVE

Executive Vice President at Wintrust Financial

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ANDREW WEIL

Corporate Partner at DLA Piper LLP

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LAURA WOOD

VP, Associate General Counsel, W.W. Grainger, Inc.

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a kid clutches a pile of chapter books and smiles
 
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“There’s nothing quite like the excitement of a child coming home with a new book, eager to read and share what they’ve learned. Bernie’s Book Bank has truly enhanced the Armstrong community, and we are deeply grateful for their ongoing support and partnership.”
OTIS DUNSON
George B. Armstrong CPS Principal

“When I was 10 years old, I received my very first bag of books from Bernie’s Book Bank. Until then, I had never owned a book of my own. I had borrowed books from the library and read in school, but there was something different about being able to say, ‘This book belongs to me.’”
KIM R.
Past Recipient

“Each time I received one of the Bernie’s Book Bank bags, it felt like a fresh and exciting experience. This deep passion and excitement I have for books, which have had such a positive impact on my life, all started with those bags of books from Bernie’s Book Bank.”
IZREAL L.
Past Recipient

“Without support from Bernie’s Book Bank, many of the students at Hyde Park School would only be exposed to books when they are at school… I can truly say that Bernie’s Book Bank instills a love for books and literacy to every student who receives books.”
BRIAN CARR
Hyde Park Elementary School Principal

“Bernie’s Book Bank has a meaningful impact on the families we serve. During their WIC or dental appointments, children are thrilled to receive books! Children and parents light up with excitement as they carefully choose the book they want to take home. These books not only promote literacy but also create a joyful and memorable experience during their visit. We are grateful for this partnership and the difference it makes in our community.”
SUMMER
WIC Distribution Partner

“Bernie’s Book Bank donated over 3,000 books to our students at the Acero Charter Schools this past school year. Our students are very grateful for the donations and always receive them with a big smile! Receiving free books encourages our students to read more.  At Acero, we are thankful for our partnership with Bernie’s Book Bank, and we can’t wait for the next school year!”
IVETTE ESPARZA
Acero Charter Schools Director of Community Affairs & Advocacy

“Bernie’s Book Bank has been a longtime partner of LEARN, and our scholars look forward to their book deliveries every year. It’s always a big day, students love sorting through their bag of books, trading with friends, and discovering new stories. Bernie’s Book Bank makes reading feel fun and exciting, and that joy helps build a real love for books. Our principals and teachers love having Bernie’s Book Bank as a partner too. The books support what’s happening in the classroom, and it’s amazing to see students so genuinely excited to read. For many of our scholars, these books become treasured parts of their home libraries. We’re so grateful for the way Bernie’s Book Bank helps bring the magic of reading to our schools.”
ALIDA BARANOWSKI
LEARN Charter School Network Development Manager

Bernie’s Book Bank’s commitment to fostering a love for reading and learning in our children has made a profound impact on their educational journeys.

I have seen firsthand how their contributions have enriched the lives of our students, parents, and teachers, opening doors to new worlds, ideas, and possibilities. Each book they’ve provided has played a part in building a foundation for lifelong learning and success. Bernie’s Book Bank’s support has not only encouraged academic growth but has also inspired a sense of curiosity and imagination in our students.

Additionally, their donations have been an invaluable resource for our teachers, enabling them to enhance their classrooms with diverse and engaging materials. Parents, too, have expressed their appreciation for the access to books that encourage reading at home, fostering a stronger connection between school and family life.”
SCHEREE ISSA
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School Director of Student Services

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