The following is an e-news article from Park Forest.
Rugby Illinois challenged youth athletes to make a difference in their local community and give back to those in need. Local rugby clubs across the Chicagoland area and state will came together, collecting books to be donated to Bernie’s Book Bank. Battle of the Books, ran for two weeks, with team’s rucking it out over who can collect the most children’s books.
Bernie’s Book Bank collects, processes and distributes quality new and gently used children’s books to significantly increase book ownership among at-risk infants, toddlers and school-age children throughout Chicagoland. The goal of this program is to raise more than a thousand books to help increase literacy and grow the love for reading. Rugby Illinois teams that will be competing to earn a new set of jerseys for their rugby clubs.
Clubs who participated include:
| Club | Books | Donations | Total Books |
| Chicago Blaze Academy | 884 | $1.760.00 | 4,404 |
| Taft High School Rugby | 3,532 | — | 3,532 |
| Chicago Northwest Narwhals | 2,616 | $ 330.00 | 3,276 |
| Lake Forest Harriers Rugby | 2,768 | — | 2,768 |
| Naperville Chiefs | 1,865 | — | 1,865 |
| New Trier Rugby Club, Winnetka | 1,410 | — | 1,410 |
| Arlington Stallions | 900 | — | 900 |
| TOTALS | 13,975 | $2,090.00 | 18,155 |
The partnership between Rugby Illinois and Bernie’s Book Bank on this event is teaching young men and women to give back through sport as well as social and civic responsibility.