The purpose of Books and a Blanket is to promote literacy and well-being among young students who are in need.
Description
Books and a Blanket is based on an idea conceived by two sisters, Harper and Maggie. They are both avid readers who have hearts for giving.
Each year, we give children in need a basket of books and a quilt or fleece blanket. Given the importance of literacy at early ages, we focus on children in grades pre-K to 6. Our project ensures the students have books to read and something to keep them warm.
What We've Achieved
2012
Distributed 119 baskets to children in Bryan and College Station, Texas.
Reached children in two schools, grades pre-K through 4.
That year, we distributed 119 blankets and about 1,200 books.
2013
Distributed 330 baskets to children in Bryan, College Station, and Brenham, Texas.
Reached children in 5 elementary schools, grades pre-K through 4.
That year, we distributed approximately 330 blankets and 5,000 books.
2014
Distributed 802 baskets to children in Bryan, College Station, Brenham, Navasota, Somerville, and Hearne, Texas.
We reached children in 8 elementary schools, grades pre-K through 4.
That year, we distributed 802 blankets and 12,030 books.
2015
In the Spring, we worked with the Brazos Valley Food Bank to distribute 900 books to children in need.
In September, we worked with Voices for Children to give books to foster children as they started their school year.
Distributed books and blankets to children in Bryan, College Station, Brenham, Navasota, Somerville, Hearne, Madisonville, and Caldwell. We reached children in 11 elementary schools, grades pre-K through 6, totaling 1,270 blankets and 13,650 books.
That year, we distributed over 15,000 books.
2016
In the Spring and Summer, we worked with Voices for Children to distribute 222 to children in need.
In the Summer, we worked with Kimberly Moore to send 300 books to children in El Salvador.
Distributed books and blankets to children in 12 schools from 8 different independent school districts around the Brazos Valley, reaching children in Head Start through 6th grade. This included 19,330 books and 1792 blankets.
2017
Over the year, we distributed approximately 30,000 books and 4,340 blankets to kids in need.
We distributed books to 7 entire schools, allowing every child in those schools to choose 5 books and a blanket and 15 books to the highest in need at two additional schools.
We also developed new partnerships as a way to further our impact and reach more kids in the community, as well as partners from previous years. Our partners include United Way, Rotary, Habitat for Humanity, Hurricane Harvey Effort, Habitat for Humanity's effort in Guatemala, Clara Mounce Library, and the Brazos Valley Food Bank.
2018
Over the year, we distributed 22,940 books and 3715 blankets to kids in need.
We continued to distribute books to entire schools, allowing every child in those schools to enjoy books and a blanket.
We also distributed books and a blanket to new Habitat Home owners, as well as others in need around the community.
2019
Over the year, we distributed 16,201 books and 2,663 blankets to kids in need.
We continued to distribute books to entire schools, allowing every child to enjoy books and a blanket.
We also distributed books and a blanket to new Habitat Home owners, as well as others in our community who are in need.
2020
Used resources to support Brazos Valley Food Bank in March, April, and May.
Brought 1875 books to children at Southwood Valley Elementary School during homework pickup due to COVID-19.
Gave books to support a new literacy initiative with Brazos Interfaith Immigration Network.
Donated nearly 2500 books and over 270 blankets to children in foster care through Voices for Children.
Provided books and blankets to children during their home closings with Habitat for Humanity.
Read bedtime books virtually to preschool children at St. Thomas Early Learning Center.
Made a virtual, literacy-themed event for children participating in Chris Field's Disrupting for Good.
Participated in a two-semester class project for students at A&M in a Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Class.
Donated 1500 books to supply Brazos Valley United Way with enough books for a library literacy event.
Partnered with CSISD's Chrissy's Closet to donate 3750 books and 250 blankets for a family shopping day.
2021
Distributed 34,683 books and 2,230 blankets this year:
Habitat for Humanity families.
Spanish books for the BCS library event.
Head start program.
Books for Dyslexia school.
4 schools where every child chose one blanket/quilt and 5 books.
Rotary Christmas event, where every child received 15 books and a blanket.
Books for teachers to fill their classroom libraries.
Books and blankets for every child at the Ag Extension Car Seat event.
Books for United Ways literacy events.
2022
Distributed over 11,000 books and 2,000 blankets
Books and blankets for Clothing for Kids event families, hosted by Rotary Club
4 schools where every child chose one blanket and 5 books
Books for lending libraries throughout Caldwell
Books for the Little Library at Post Oak Mall
Books for the Nurse Family Partnership clinic at Texas A&M
Overall
To date, we have distributed over 175,776 books and over 19,786 blankets to children in need.