Who Would Be Interested in Being a Doper Book Fairy?

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

To figure out what I’m talking about [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=210841"]here](http:[url) is the thread that started the whole thing.

Basically, I volunteer at an inner city school here in Birmingham with a group of 4th graders. These kids have virtually nothing.

A handful of Dopers suggested maybe having a Doper Book Drive or making a “wish list” of individual books these kids might like and a Doper adopting them either for a one time deal or making it a once a month ongoing type kind of thing.

I will get my official class list next week but I am anticipating between 28-30 kids in my class. If Dopers wanted to pair up and adopt a kid alternating months that would work also.

So, before I try to pull this together I would like to know who might be interested in doing this.

The frequency will depend on how many people respond that they would be interested.

If nothing else, if you will just keep these kids and this school in your thoughts/prayers/good wishes and vibes, etc.

Thanks in advance.

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I would definitely be interested!

3

Count me in! I’ve already got your contact info and will be sending things along to you as I get them.

4

Add me… just make sure email says SDMB in the title so hopefully I don’t lose it in the spam like I did with the postcard thread :frowning:

5

Me too

6

ME ME ME ME!!

I love this idea.

7

I am in. Also I would like to send some books along that my daughter has outgrown. So when you get a chance Aries let me know where I can send them.

8

Count me in. I won’t be able to afford much, but I can at least get a few there!!

9

Yes, absolutely! I’m in. This is a wonderful idea.

There will be a package on its way to you at the end of the week, also. :slight_smile:

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You betcha! My email addy is in my profile.

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Btw, will you post a list of what books you need? You also might want to delegate who sends what so you don’t end up with 200 copies of Goosebumps

12

I’ve got some old children’s books that I don’t need any more. Are you ok with used books? If so I’m willing to browse the local libraries and get used books, helps out two different places at once.

13

Count me in, too. Are used books OK? I know I can get more bang for the buck at a used book store. I’d offer my daughter’s outgrown books, but she’s already boxed them for her own future children. :smiley:

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I’ve got the Narnia series. Some of them are really old, but they’re still readable. I might be able to round up a few more kids’ books. It’s not much, but it’s something.

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For those who asked about used books…yes they are fine. The program director prefers that they be in good condition but I’ll take whatever. :slight_smile:

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I’d definitely go for it. Like FairyChatMom, if used books are acceptable, I can do more - right now I have about $60 worth of credit at my local UBS that I’d be willing to partially use.
Also, as has been mentioned, when you e-mail me, please please please put SDMB in the subject, or it gets deleted - I’ll e-mail back from a different (more frequently checked) e-mail account if necessary.

17

I’d like to do it. Unfortunately I don’t have that many children’s books thanks to the Thrift Store purges of my childhood, but I’m pretty sure I still have some Beatrix Potter, Narnia, and Dr. Seuss books. (Maybe some others; I’m going home tonight, so I can check.) If it was new books, I could do it for alternating months but probably not every month of the school year.

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I would very much like to be a book fairy (talk about sentences I thought I’d never type!). Please send me an email message outlining your needs.

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I’m always up for donating books! Let us know what you need/want.

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Okay…seems like there is enough interest to do this. YAY! :smiley:

I am going to be almost internet-less for the next 3 days at a conference (Yikes!!!) so I will be quiet about this for a bit. I’ll try to log on from home at night but make no promises.

I’ll get my class assignment next week and I’ll go ahead and ask them to complile a wish list. Based on my previous class I can tell you some of the series books they really get into.

Goosebumps
American Girls
ZooBooks Magazines
Highlights Magazines
Magic Treehouse

Almost any kind of “chapter books” that aren’t too difficult. Anything sports related. Anything about animals with pictures and stuff.

I read to them each week also so any books you think they might enjoy but would be too challenging I can read those aloud over the school year.

Another thought: I also get local businessmen, police officers, military personnel, local leaders, etc. to come out and visit with me from time to time. If any Doper is in the Birmingham area or going to be anytime during the next few months and interested, contact me and let me know and I’ll arrange a visit.

And one more time, THANK YOU. Dopers are the best! I promise you when this gets going and I post you some of the letters I get you will understand how much of an impact you have had on a child’s life.