Planting Books - Seeds 4 a Better Future

SUPPORTING LITERACY

FOR LONG-TERM POSITIVE IMPACT

We are a charitable organization working to support literacy in our community. We know that we can help encourage young children to read by making good reading materials available to them. Our first project in 2022 led to a firm commitment to continue this work in perpetuity, and for greatest possible impact, we needed to create a framework to make this happen. Thus we became the 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization we are introducing to you here.

Logo design by Melissa Conway, Bettendorf, Iowa

Our Mission

To support improved literacy of populations for whom our contributions may have the greatest long-term positive impact. This includes, but is not limited to, children from traditionally underserved backgrounds and their families, their schools, and community organizations with a role in their literacy development. We undertake this work from a perspective of social justice, seeking to help recipients of our support gain greater equity in all areas of life.

Our Impact

Our Mission

Countless studies tell us how important strong reading skills are for the intellectual and social development of a child. This is particularly important in the aftermath of the pandemic. We give high-quality children's books to students at the Rock Island Academy in Rock Island to encourage students to read at home in their unscheduled time. Providing the same set of three books to every child in second grade encourages discussion among students and allows teachers to draw on this material in class.

Who We Are

Our Mission

Who We Are

Board of Directors

Tamara Felden, PhD - President

Angela Campbell

Bernadette Carmack

Kurt Christoffel

Judy Gackle

Tina Hayz

Catherine Strahl

Volunteers

Dan Campbell, Cynthia Greene, Kristi Masterson, Nikki Melody, Nancy Morris, Natalie Mulholland, Maddie Wright

our ambitions for the future

We are happy to have given books to kids again this year, but this is just the beginning!

We are rapidly growing beyond our start-up stage and making plans for the future. Our strategic goals include:

Giving books to kids in more grades at the Rock Island Academy;
Expanding our list of schools to include others with demonstrated need;
Finding ways and materials to help teachers in their literacy work with students;
Working with parents to understand their roles and needs better as they help their children read.

For all that, we need your help.

Please support us by donating, volunteering, and getting the word out.

Become a Planting Books Hero

Support Our Programs

Fundraising is an essential part of our work. Donating and encouraging others to do so as well is key to our success. Can you team up with others at work, in your church, or as part of your community organization to combine funds for a group donation?

Volunteer With Us

From event planning to administrative tasks, we need volunteers to help us run our programs effectively. Join us and become a Planting Books - Seeds 4 a Better Future hero today.

Spread the Word

Help us raise awareness about our cause by sharing our mission with your friends and family, in your civic organizations and other groups. Follow us on social media and invite others to join our community.

Join Our Team

If you're passionate about making a difference, join our team and become part of the Planting Books - Seeds 4 a Better Future family. We're always looking for dedicated individuals to help us achieve our goals.

Let's be The community that cares! Let's be the ones that step up!