Founded in 1997 by Dan Studer, former Lincoln Education Association President, the Harvest of Books Inc., is a program developed to help promote a life-long love of reading for children. The Harvest of Books is sponsored by the Lincoln Education Association. KFOR 1240 AM radio is a promotional sponsor.
The goal of the Harvest of Books, Inc. is to provide every first grader (and if funds allow, second graders) in the public, private, and parochial Schools with one new book of their own to take home, to enjoy, and to share with their family. Since its beginning, Harvest of Books has provided over 249,000 brand new books to the children of Lincoln.
During an annual, designated period of time near the first two weeks of October, community members have the opportunity to buy a book for a first grade student. Community members may purchase children’s books to donate for Harvest of Books; during each year we invite bookstores to participate by offering discounts or incentives to support Harvest of Books. (We also accept monetary donations for those who’d prefer us to do the shopping!) We also have bookplates available to place inside the book for donors who wish to be identified. Participating booksellers will set aside the Harvest books at their store and volunteers from the Lincoln Education Association will collect and distribute the books to first graders throughout the schools—Now to coincide with Read Across America week in March.
Individuals who prefer to send a donation for the purchase of Harvest books and leave the shopping to LEA volunteers may do so by sending a check to the “Harvest of Books” in care of the Lincoln Education Association, 4920 Normal Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68506 at any time throughout the year. 100% of all donations are used to purchase books. Or click here to donate online.
Purpose of the Contribution:
Donations to the Harvest of Books go directly toward the purchasing of books for the first (and when funds allow second) graders of Lincoln Schools.
Budget for the Organization and this Project:
Budget for the Organization and this Project:The number of first grade Lincoln students varies from year to year and LEA relies completely on donations for the Harvest of Books Program. The Association’s goal is to always be able to provide, at a minimum, one book for each first grader. When donations allow, LEA strives to place a new book into the hands of every second grader’s hands, too, as part of the annual harvest.
How can You and/or Your Organization Assist with the Harvest of Books?
The smiles, the cries of joy and surprise, and children across Lincoln diving into a new book that is all their own because of the Harvest of Books can not be accomplished without the financial support of generous donors, both individuals and businesses, throughout Lincoln (and even outside of the city). Surprisingly, for many children in Lincoln, the Harvest of Books donation is their first and sometimes the only book they can personally call their own to share with their family.
Many adults recall with fondness the joy of their first book and want to help re-create that joy for a child today. Still others want to honor the passing of a friend or loved one who loved reading by making a donation as a memorial, knowing that their donation will not only honor the deceased, but help spread that person’s personal love of reading to a child, possibly making a life-long difference in a child’s life.
Please help us with this worthy enterprise by purchasing books during the Harvest this fall or by sending a donation or memorial to the Harvest of Books at any time of the year. By doing so, you not only will add to the program’s success, but you will enrich the life of a child – a child who will forever remember receiving a beautiful gift from a total stranger. What a special memory to create for a child, and what a special gift to give!
Thank You To Our Sponsors and participating bookstores!
