[Bookstoprisoners] Collecting Book Donations for BTP

[Jay Schubert]

As you know, Books to Prisoners relies on the community to provide about 90%
of the books we provide to inmates.  We maintain several collection bins at
various points around town, which yield anywhere from 30-300 books per
week.  These books are our operations life line, without them, our
organization simply could not exist.

The books we collect at these donation sites not only find their way
directly into the hands of inmates in Illinois, but some of them are also
listed for sale on Amazon.com, which pays for a huge portion of our
operating expenses (shipping costs being the largest expense).  Because of
this, the task of maintaining a collection bin (our relationship with the
business or organization hosting the bin and the regular collection of books
from the site) is an important responsibility.  Also, depending on location
it can be a responsibility that requires a volunteer to spend time a couple
times a week collecting books and delivering them to our work space at the
IMC (or keeping them in their vehicle until it's convenient to deliver
them).

We have many dedicated volunteers, some of whom have been responsible for
collection bins for years and we currently have a need for one or two new
volunteers to consider taking responsibility for managing a collection
site.  If you have been waiting for an invitation to do something extra for
books to prisoners, this may be the opportunity for you.  Even if you can't
commit to doing this for ever or even more than for the summer, please let
me know.  We currently need coverage of the collection bins at
*McKinley*(we expect this to become a fairly busy location once the
newly constructed,
attached residence hall opens) and *Harmony Health Care*.  Please let me
know if you might be interested in helping out with this incredibly
important task.


Book Drop Sites

 <http://www.ucimc.org/>

preferred
donation site

Urbana Champaign Independent Media Center <http://www.ucimc.org/>
*Your very own* community media center! You are invited to participate in
any or all of our projects, including but not limited to: Books 2 Prisoners,
WRFU Low power FM community radio, Public i newspaper, live music shows and
theatrical performances and art workshops.* Collection bin located* inside
front entrance (door on Broadway) to the left near the information table.

202 S. Broadway Ave.
Urbana<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=202+S+Broadway+Ave,+Urbana,+IL+61801&ie=UTF8&z=16&ll=40.112985,-88.211546&spn=0.011799,0.027037&om=1&iwloc=addr>
(217) 344-8820
*
*
  <http://www.strawberry-fields.com/>
 Strawberry Fields Natural Food Store <http://www.strawberry-fields.com/>
Strawberry Fields is the premier natural food store in East Central
Illinois, serving our community since 1974. We offer an astounding variety
of organic produce, vitamins, supplements and natural body care products as
well as an in-house bakery, coffee bar and catering services. *Collection
bin located* outside, near the cafe entrance (only available during
buisiness hours Mon - Sat 7AM - 8PM, Sun 10AM - 6PM).

306 W. Springfield Ave.
Urbana<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=306+W.+Springfield+Ave.+Urbana&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=49.176833,81.210938&ie=UTF8&ll=40.112411,-88.210473&spn=0.023368,0.039654&z=15&iwloc=addr>
(217) 328-1655   <http://www.mckinley-church.org/>
McKinley Presbyterian Church & Foundation <http://www.mckinley-church.org/>
McKinley Memorial Presbyterian Church is the first church set up expressly
for students at a state university in the United States. Everyone is welcome
to visit, attend, or join. *Collection bin located* in the Foundation, by
the main desk or on Sundays in the church.

809 S. 5th St. Champaign
<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=809+S.+5th+St.+Champaign&sll=40.112411,-88.210473&sspn=0.023368,0.039654&ie=UTF8&z=16&iwloc=addr>
(217) 344-0297   <http://www.prairienet.org/idf/>
Illinois Disciples Foundation <http://www.prairienet.org/idf/>
People active within the Illinois Disciples Foundation are committed to
denouncing violence, working for peace with justice, and speaking truth to
power.* Collection bin located* in the basement outside the South entrance
to Common Ground Food Coop.

610 E. Springfield Ave. Champaign
<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=610+E.+Springfield+Ave,+Champaign,+IL&ie=UTF8&z=17&ll=40.114117,-88.230257&spn=0.005899,0.013518&om=1&iwloc=addr>(217)
352-8721
Harmony Health Care

2403 W Springfield Ave.
Champaign<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=2403+W+Springfield+Ave.+Champaign+IL&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=49.176833,81.210938&ie=UTF8&z=16&iwloc=addr>
(217) 355-5679
  Cafe Paradiso
Caffe Paradiso has been locally-owned and operated since August 1998. With
the help of the wonderful community that is Urbana-Champaign, it has proudly
grown to be an important part of the neighborhood.

801 S. Lincoln Ave.
Urbana<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=801+S.+Lincoln+Ave.+Urbana+IL&sll=40.112796,-88.287603&sspn=0.011684,0.019827&ie=UTF8&z=16&iwloc=addr>
(217) 384-6066
Thanks,
Jay
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