Host Jeremy C. Park interviews Heather Patchett, Fund Development Manager with Book’em, along with Chris Sunday, Book Bus Coordinator, who both highlight the nonprofit organization’s mission and efforts to create a more literate Nashville and ignite children’s passion for reading through book ownership and enthusiastic volunteers. During the interview, Chris and Heather discuss the organization’s 36-year history and their three main programs focused on promoting literacy through book ownership. The organization’s book bus program brings books directly to children at community events and school visits, while their other initiatives include classroom reading programs and book distributions to educators and nonprofits. The discussion covered BookEm’s operational reach and impact, upcoming events like Read Me Day celebrations, and opportunities for individuals and businesses to support their mission through volunteering, book drives, and corporate partnerships.
Summary
Three Core Programs Overview – Chris Sunday, Book Bus Coordinator, and Heather Patchett, Fund Development Manager, highlight Book’em and discuss the nonprofit organization’s 36-year history and its three main programs. Chris explains that Book’em provides classroom reading through its Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program, distributes books to educators and nonprofits through Books For Nashville’s Kids (BFNK), and operates a Book Bus program that brings books directly to children at community events and school visits.
BookEm: Promoting Literacy Through Books – Chris talks about their mission to promote literacy through book ownership, explaining how they provide 600 books to children during Book Bus visits, allowing them to choose and keep books that they can build their home libraries with. The organization sources books through partnerships, corporate donations, and community book drives, with a recent successful drive collecting 7,500 books from the Catholic Diocese of Nashville. Heather details their community engagement efforts, including volunteer opportunities for 300 readers in schools, and upcoming Read Me Day celebrations at Jones Elementary and Mount View on February 20th and 27th, where companies can participate by reading to children and providing books.
Book Bus County Coverage – Chris and Heather talk about the geographical reach and operational logistics of their Book Bus program, which serves Davidson County through 17 Title I schools and approximately 180 distribution organizations. Chris explains that the Book Bus covers the entire county and that trips are carefully planned due to the bus’s maximum speed of 40 miles per hour. The program receives high demand for appearances at events like the Kids Dental Day and Shoe Distribution, with Chris recommending that organizations submit requests 90 days in advance through their website.
Book Bus Expansion Vision – Chris discusses the vision for the Book Bus and the organization’s goal of distributing more books to children. He explains that the current bus, a step bus, is limited in size, and they hope to add a larger bus, possibly a decommissioned school bus, to accommodate more books and serve more children at community events.
Book’em: Literacy Support Opportunities – Heather and Chris discuss how individuals and businesses can get involved with Book’em, a nonprofit organization focused on promoting literacy among children. They encourage potential supporters to visit the website bookem-kids.org, where they can find volunteer interest forms and information on hosting book drives or adopting classrooms. Chris highlights their annual breakfast fundraiser, which takes place in the Fall, as a significant event for corporate partnerships and community engagement.
Visit https://bookem-kids.org/ to learn more and get involved with Book’em.
