Planting Books - Seeds 4 a Better Future
Let's be The community that cares! Let's be the ones that step up!
There is much in life we can't change,
but some things we can do.
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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 work to 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, so we created a framework to make this happen. We now are a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization working to support literacy in Rock Island.
Logo design by Melissa Conway, Bettendorf, Iowa
OUR MISSION
OUR MISSION
OUR MISSION
To support 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
OUR MISSION
Countless studies show how important strong reading skills are for the intellectual and social development of a child. We also know that children who don't read at the right level by grade four never catch up for the rest of their lives. We give high-quality children's books to students in the West End of Rock Island to help them become better readers. Supporting children in Kindergarten and 1st and 2nd grades has life-long benefits and holds promise for the future.
WHO WE ARE
OUR MISSION
WHO WE ARE
Board of Directors
Tamara Felden, President (2026)
Angela Campbell (2026)
Bernadette Carmack (2027)
Kurt Christoffel (2026)
Judy Gackle (2027)
Tina Hayz (2026)
Volunteers
Dan Campbell, Daniel Flosi, Kristi Masterson, Nikki Melody, Nancy Morris, Natalie Mulholland, Catherine Strahl, Elena Vallejo
our ambitions for the future
We have given books to more kids this year, but much remains to be done
Looking ahead to next year, our goals include:
- Expanding our book distribution to include three grades at Frances Willard School;
- Working with parents to understand their roles and needs better as they help their children read;
- Expanding our work to 3rd grade with writing projects;
- Creating community events to highlight the performance of our young readers;
- Growing our board and our team of volunteers.
For all that, we need your help.
Please support us by donating, volunteering, and getting the word out.
We are Grateful for our Partners and Donors
The 2026 books for Kindergarten students at rock Island academy
The 2026 books for first-grade students at rock Island academy
The 2026 books for second-grade students at rock Island academy
The 2026 books for second-grade students at frances willard school
We need your support
As we support children's love of reading, the long-term impact of our work may be decisive for their future.
Let's be the community that steps up!
We invite you to become a partner in this work by donating and volunteering. To volunteer, please complete the contact form below.
Become a Planting Books Hero
Support Our Programs
Fundraising is an essential part of our work. Donating and encouraging others to donate 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 to building our reading tutor corps, we need your help. Join us and become a Planting Books helping hero today.
Spread the Word
Help us raise awareness about our cause by sharing our mission with friends and family, in your civic organizations and other groups. Follow us on social media and invite others to join our community.