Hi All.  I have a favor to ask.

As you may or may not know, my "real" job is a grantwriter for a community health center in Springfield, Illinois.  The Capitol Community Health Center (CCHC) is located on the east side of Springfield, which is the poorest area of the city.  CCHC provides primary health care and dental care to the uninsured, underinsured and homeless populations in our community.  It is the only place those most in need can go for health care in this area, and our patient population is growing every day!   The economy has hit many of our community's families, those who always worked and had private insurance in the past, hard.  Many people are loosing their jobs, and their health benefits.

Why am I asking you all for help, you may wonder?

Well, we are planning our 10th Anniversary celebration, which is coming up in October.  Part of my job is planning events, community outreach, etc. 

On October 22, I am planning a patient appreciation day in which I have talked our CEO into cooking hot dogs in the parking lot for our patients, and I will be providing some activities for the kids to do. 

I also am wanting to do a giveaway for the children that we serve.  That's where you could help.  (Last year I gave any school supplies during National Health Center Week in August, which was a HUGE hit!  Thank you Walmart for that generous donation!)

I would like to be able to provide books to the kids that come to CCHC.  Most of these families cannot afford to buy books, therefore increasing the education gap in our community.  As I am a strong believer that reading is the bridge to success in learning and the future, I have taken on the endeavor to give as many of our children a book as possible. 

If you would be interested in donating a book for this cause, please email me privately at hdburton at gmail dot com. 

You don't have to provide an autographed copy, just an extra copy of a children's book you may have lying around the house.  And we serve kids of all ages, so picture books, middle grade, young adult, we'll give them all away!  (I'd also be grateful for bookmarks and such as well, as I would like to give a bookmark with each book.)

I thank you in advance for listening to me for a minute.  (I don't have a lot to offer you in return, but I promise I will send pictures, and mention you in my blog, on Facebook and on my SCBWI listserv.)

Have a great day!!