From global vision to local impact
Audra Meyer of Barrington has collected 6,480 books for children in the Chicago area.
Courtesy of Adrian Ayala
Audra Meyer of Barrington has always had a passion for books and reading. As an elementary school teacher, she made sure reading was a fun event in her classrooms and her extensive library always included a wide variety of books.
Meyer also worked as an international operations manager, where she regularly supported fundraisers for global philanthropic causes, helping to make a difference in third world countries.
In 2019, Meyer wanted to spread her passion for book ownership. Determined to help build libraries abroad, she started a project to collect as many books as possible. She organized book drives, donated her own books, contacted Facebook groups and spread the word in her community.
Meyer initially tried to send the books to Africa, but when the shipping costs became too high, she looked for a local alternative. That’s when she came across Bernie’s Book Bank.
When Meyer learned that there were few children’s books in the Chicago area, she knew Bernie’s Book Bank was a perfect fit for her efforts.
“Access to books is huge, I think every child will thrive under the right circumstances,” Meyer said. “Every child could be the next astronaut, doctor or influencer, and I think books can be the deciding factor in that.”
Over the past five years, Meyer has filled her garage with donated books, collecting 6,480 books in total, making it the largest book donation to date. Bernie’s Book Bank’s second largest book drive occurred in 2023, when Chicago’s 19th District Alderman helped collect 5,800 books.
Meyer’s hard work and dedication means books for 810 local children. Bernie’s Book Bank is incredibly grateful to Meyer and the Barrington community for helping to create a future where every child has equal access to books and the opportunities they open.
Would you like to organize a book drive in your community? Every book donated can change the life of a child in the Chicago area. Book drives are a great way to bring your community together, get things in order, and give your books a second life. Together, we can create a future where every child has equal access to books and the opportunities they provide.
To learn how to organize a book drive, contact Carol Collier at [email protected].
For more information, visit berniesbookbank.org.
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