LCM Touch a Truck Book Drive!

Let's nourish the minds and hearts of Longview’s kids at LCM's Touch-a-Truck event! They need our help! Kids need good books to call their own, and to be taught the value of reading. With your help, we can give an estimated 1,000 kids in attendance a FREE book! A grant program through Usborne Books & More will match your donation with 50% more in FREE books!

My goal is to raise $5,000 so that we can purchase $7,500 in books for 1,000 children! Any money raised over the $5,000 will be given directly to Longview Community Ministries to help fund their efforts to feed and financially support families right here in Longview.

Through Wednesday, September 26, your gift will help us reach our goal! For Gold, Silver and Bronze Sponsorship opportunities, please send a note to Mindy@WiseEyesBooks.com. A donation of any amount is appreciated!

Here's a quick story about Why I decided to do this Book Drive.

For the last two years, my mom and I have set up a vendor booth at the LCM Touch a Truck – Feed a Family event. We have had a variety of books on display for children of all ages. If you don't know about the event, it's a free* event for kids to come out and experience several trucks and vehicles, including firetrucks, monster trucks, cranes and more. Plus there are free activities for the kids including bounce houses and other entertainment. It's always a joy to see the kids and how much fun they are having. And, the whole family gets to meet and greet our local police, firefighters, paramedics and more.

And then there are our books… beautiful, engaging, entertaining, educational books that are designed to grab children's attention. With the competition that books have with screens these days, that is quite a feat! There's just one problem — Many of the families in attendance simply can't afford the extra $5-15 for a new book. So the children WANT the books… however, most do not get a book… It's heartbreaking. Smiles can quickly turn to tears. And believe me, I get it when parents don't want to, or can't, spend extra money. I also absolutely wish I could just GIVE every child a book that comes through. Which is why I thought, "Why can't I?!" And the vision for this book drive was born. I got the approval from LCM and here we are.

I completely understand if you are not in a position to give on the level of the Gold ($1000), Silver ($500+) or Bronze ($100+) sponsorship. So, I'm issuing you a personal challenge on a much smaller scale. I was the first to make a small $30 donation. If you, and everyone who visits this donation page, were to give $30, we would nearly reach our goal of $5000! I promise that if we don't quite reach the goal, I will find a way to have as many books as possible for kids at the event. Even if it is a smaller book than I had hoped to give them. Will you accept my challenge?

To donate you can click on the green "Contribute" button above, or contact me (mindy@wiseeyesbooks.com) to provide a check. All checks need to be made payable to Longview Community Ministries and have a note allocating funds to this "book drive"

Thank you for reading this, and giving it your time and attention. I really appreciate anything you are able to contribute.

Have a Blessed Day!

Mindy Stephens

Educational Services Representative for Usborne Books & More

CEO at Mindy Stephens Creative

*A jar of peanut butter or monetary donation is appreciated to attend the Touch A Truck —Feed a Family Event. All donations help LCM provide food and financial assistance to families all year long.