“Reading is the most important skill we have in life.”
Brian Floriani shared his life story and journey that brought him to the founding of Bernie’s Book Bank, a non-profit organization that is named after his avid reading father. As he began his career as an elementary school teacher, in a under resourced community outside of Chicago, Brian realized how critical literacy is, and how this transformative time in a child’s life, effects the rest of their life. He embraced the impact of literacy, and in 2009, started Bernie’s Book Bank out of his garage, with $5,000 on his credit card, in hopes to make a difference in the lives of children without books.
“The vision is where every child has equal access to books and the opportunities they inspire.”
It is a great organization dedicated to promoting children’s literacy by providing free books to children in need. The organization aims to create pathways to success through book ownership. They focus on under-resourced communities, ensuring children have access to age-appropriate, high-interest, and culturally relevant books.
Bernie’s Book Bank has distributed over 27 million free children’s books to date, primarily in the Chicagoland area, and they are expanding their efforts to serve more children, including those in the Greater Milwaukee Area. Sixty Milwaukee schools are currently being positively impacted by this program. The plan is to expand throughout southeastern Wisconsin.
“Every child shall have an opportunity to read their way to a better life”
Did you know:
- 32 million Americans can’t read.
- Only 23% of 8th graders are reading at grade level.
- If we increase literacy by 1% in America, there would be a 480-billion-dollar positive impact on the economy.
- Bernie’s Book Bank ships 100K-150K books out the door per week.
- Over the past 5 years, they have served 20,000 children in Milwaukee, and “by the end of 2026 they plan on serving every qualified child” in southeastern Wisconsin.
Would you like more information on how to get involved or details about their programs? visit www.berniesbookbank.org.
Also, if you would like to be part of a great Elmbrook Rotary community service opportunity, consider tutoring at the Milwaukee 95th Street School along with fellow Rotarians. To learn more or sign up, contact Jan Constable at: jrconstable@sbcglobal.net.
