News & Media
Check out the latest news from Bernie's Book Bank!
2020 Winter Volunteer-A-Thon
The snowy Chicagoland weather didn’t stop volunteers from making the trek to Bernie’s Book Bank on January 24 and 25 for Volunteer-A-Thon. Volunteers helped to sort, sticker and pack books for local under-served children. To keep energy high over the...
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...
Drive N’ Dine: Ricobene’s
Ricobene’s of Chicago ranks high in our list of the best lunches available in the Chicagoland area. I had heard rumblings of an amazing sandwich in my infancy as a book banker, but nothing could have prepared me for what USA Today calls “The Best Sandwich...
Drive N’ Dine: Wings Etc.
The Bernie’s Book Bank drive team takes their fried chicken and chicken wings very seriously. So, when we’re in Antioch and are craving the best wings around, we head over to Wings Etc.* Aside from the fact that they have phenomenal wings, both boneless...
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...
Drive N’ Dine: Halsted Street Deli
Halsted Street Deli* in Vernon Hills utilizes several core principles to ensure customer satisfaction. They offer a wide variety of hefty sandwiches along with varied healthy options, coffee and desserts. The deli serves a selection of quality meats,...
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...
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...
Drive N’ Dine: Zacatacos
Zacatacos* of Chicago is one of many taco joints throughout the city, but for the drive team they are a cut above the rest. Maybe it’s because they only use USDA choice inner skirt for their famous steak tacos, or maybe it’s their unbeatable El Pastor...
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...
Drive N’ Dine: Dickey’s BBQ Pit
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit* in Gurnee is a mouthwatering experience the Bernie’s Book Bank team can’t pass up when fortunate enough to be in the area. This Texas native institution got its beginnings with Travis Dickey, a WWII veteran with a love of gab and...
Bernie’s Book Bank Exhibit on Display at First Bank of Highland Park
Bernie’s Book Bank is honored to be the featured nonprofit organization on the Ruth Fell Wander Community Art Wall at First Bank of Highland Park throughout the month of October.The community art wall was created in 2002 in memory of First Bank of Highland...
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...
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...
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....
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...
Drive N’ Dine: Pita Inn
Pita Inn* of Skokie is a Bernie’s Book Bank driver staple. This family run Mediterranean Style food chain was crafted by Falah Tabahi and his wife with their flagship location rooted in Skokie. The combination of a menu that brims with delicious dishes and...
65 Honor Roll – Nominations Open
The Patrick Mannelly Award is presented to the most outstanding Long Snapper in Division I football. In its inaugural year, those at the Patrick Mannelly Award have selected Bernie's Book Bank as their official nonprofit beneficiary. Together, the Patrick...
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...
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...
The Processing Center: An Inside Look
Each volunteer session begins the same way. Volunteers, whether they be an energetic camp group screaming the lyrics to Sweet Caroline, corporate employees, or simply individuals looking to impactfully donate their time, all start their journey entering...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Patrick Mannelly Award Watchlist
Bernie's Book Bank and the Patrick Mannelly Award have partnered together to shine a spotlight on the long snapper position in college football. Bernie's Book Bank is the charity beneficiary of the Patrick Mannelly Award. In its inaugural year, this award...
Drive N’ Dine: Antioch Pizza Shop
Antioch Pizza Shop* of Antioch is yet another esteemed stop for the Bernie’s Book Bank team. With humble beginnings of a shared recipe by friends, this easygoing nearby pizza joint has grown into a local crave haven. Their top-notch pizza is dressed with...
Drive N’ Dine: Luke’s of Lake Bluff
Luke’s of Lake Bluff* is a fellow Lake Bluff establishment. This family restaurant takes pride in its motto, “We don’t serve fast food, we serve good food fast,” and we can’t help but agree! As well as having one of the widest menu selections around, they...
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...
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...
Press inquiries
If you’d like to learn more about Bernie’s Book Bank, please email or call 847.780.7323
