2015 Annual Report
The Wisconsin Operation of Books for the World collects used library and school books from throughout the state of Wisconsin, sort and package them by grade level and subject matter, and ship them, through the Second Wind Foundation in LaPorte, TX to developing countries where people need books.
2015 showed an increase in practically every metric compared to 2014. A record 12,000 boxes (approximately 500,000 pounds) of books were collected. Twelve semi-truck loads of books, desks and other school furniture were shipped to the Second Wind Foundation in LaPorte, TX for distribution to developing countries where people need books.
Significant Events:
The Wisconsin Operation of Books for the World is coordinated by the Madison Breakfast Rotary Club, District 6250.
Wisconsin Operation Summary for 2014
The Wisconsin Operation completed another very successful year in 2014. The program is well known to schools and libraries across Wisconsin, and because of this, for the second consecutive year, the Wisconsin Operation has shipped a total of ten semi-truck loads of books to Houston. Book donations increased about 7% for the year despite the fact that they were forced to move their book processing operation twice within a six-week period in June and July. They now occupy about 6,000 square feet of very functional warehouse space donated to them by Madison College, a local technical college having a 40,000 plus student enrollment.
Non-Rotary participants, including corporate and university student volunteer groups, continue to represent the core book processing cadre. Just over one-thousand participants were actively involved during the year which represents an increase of 40% over 2013.
One very significant achievement was the shipment of their 2-millionth pound of books since program inception in 2005. This event was covered by three local TV stations and was attended by more than 50 friends and Rotarians. Another was having Thom Weiss assume the position of program coordinator in July which adds to the viability of the Wisconsin Operation for years to come. Carol and Bod Dombroski will continue to be active participants working in a support role.
2014 by the Numbers:
-- Collected 10,563 boxes
6530 (62%) from schools
2690 (25%) from libraries
-- Packed 263 pallets
32 packing events (8.2 pallets/event)
653 volunteers, 2002 hours (7.6 man-hours per pallet)
-- Shipped 10 truck loads
63 pallets (26.5 pallets/truck) + 104 desks (21 pallets)
Ended year with: 26 finished and 65 unfinished pallets
-- 3211 total volunteer hours from 1104 volunteer activities
The Sign on the new warehouse highlights both
Rotary and Books for the World.
The Wisconsin Operation of Books for the World collects used library and school books from throughout the state of Wisconsin, sort and package them by grade level and subject matter, and ship them, through the Second Wind Foundation in LaPorte, TX to developing countries where people need books.
2015 showed an increase in practically every metric compared to 2014. A record 12,000 boxes (approximately 500,000 pounds) of books were collected. Twelve semi-truck loads of books, desks and other school furniture were shipped to the Second Wind Foundation in LaPorte, TX for distribution to developing countries where people need books.
Significant Events:
- In additions to the donated books that were packed and shipped, we had a significant number of donations of student desks and other school furniture.404 student desks were donated from three different school districts.Additionally, we collected and shipped 13 teacher desks, about 100 student chairs, 5 computer desks, and 10 chalk boards.
- Two of the thirty-nine packing events included Rotarians from different clubs that have worked with and supported this project.One event had members from six different clubs.The other event had members from nine different clubs.Clubs who participated in these events include After Hours, Madison Breakfast, Deforest, Fitchburg-Verona, Madison East-Monona, Reedsburg, Sun Prairie, Waunakee and West Town-Middleton.
- Two of the truck-loads shipped to the Second Wind Foundation included 55 pallets of adult library books destined for Pakistan.These adult library books were by special request to fill two shipping containers planned for conversion to Polio Vaccination Clinics in Pakistan.
- Ten of the thirty-nine packing events were arrange through the Dane County United Way Days of Caring events.The United Way also referred other organizations to us who were looking for service opportunities.We are grateful for this partnership and all the volunteers who contribute their time.
- Through our partnership with the Rotary Club of Kenosha and the Kenosha Public Library, we were able to facilitate a connection in The Gambia resulting in the shipment of a sea container of books to set up a new library.Interestingly, the Kenosha Public Library donated more books to the project (1048 boxes) than any other organization.Special thanks to the Kenosha Rotary Club for facilitating these donations and Hallman Lindsay Paints for delivering them from Kenosha to our warehouse in Madison.
Special thanks is appropriate for the following organizations who have made significant “in-kind” contributions without which our project would simply not be possible: - Ad Press – Boxes and packing material
- J. H. Findorff & Son – Maintenance and repair in our warehouse
- Future Foam – Local transportation of desks and school furniture
- Hallman Lindsay Paints – Delivery of books from all over Wisconsin to our warehouse in Madison
- Madison College – Warehouse space
- Pellitteri Waste Systems – Cardboard disposal and recycling
- Stellar Services – Boxes
- The Second Wind Foundation – Sea containers and overseas shipping from Houston to developing countries all over the world, plus significant financial support.
- Webcrafters – Pallets for shipping
The Wisconsin Operation of Books for the World is coordinated by the Madison Breakfast Rotary Club, District 6250.
Wisconsin Operation Summary for 2014
The Wisconsin Operation completed another very successful year in 2014. The program is well known to schools and libraries across Wisconsin, and because of this, for the second consecutive year, the Wisconsin Operation has shipped a total of ten semi-truck loads of books to Houston. Book donations increased about 7% for the year despite the fact that they were forced to move their book processing operation twice within a six-week period in June and July. They now occupy about 6,000 square feet of very functional warehouse space donated to them by Madison College, a local technical college having a 40,000 plus student enrollment.
Non-Rotary participants, including corporate and university student volunteer groups, continue to represent the core book processing cadre. Just over one-thousand participants were actively involved during the year which represents an increase of 40% over 2013.
One very significant achievement was the shipment of their 2-millionth pound of books since program inception in 2005. This event was covered by three local TV stations and was attended by more than 50 friends and Rotarians. Another was having Thom Weiss assume the position of program coordinator in July which adds to the viability of the Wisconsin Operation for years to come. Carol and Bod Dombroski will continue to be active participants working in a support role.
2014 by the Numbers:
-- Collected 10,563 boxes
6530 (62%) from schools
2690 (25%) from libraries
-- Packed 263 pallets
32 packing events (8.2 pallets/event)
653 volunteers, 2002 hours (7.6 man-hours per pallet)
-- Shipped 10 truck loads
63 pallets (26.5 pallets/truck) + 104 desks (21 pallets)
Ended year with: 26 finished and 65 unfinished pallets
-- 3211 total volunteer hours from 1104 volunteer activities
The Sign on the new warehouse highlights both
Rotary and Books for the World.