On February 27 and March 26, our IMCD US Westlake team volunteered at the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank, a nonprofit organization in Cleveland, Ohio, dedicated to fostering literacy and a love of reading by distributing free books to children.
Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank believes that literacy has the power to foster empathy, deepen our understanding of each other, broaden our worldviews, fuel our imaginations, and inspire current and future generations. Each month, the Cleveland Kid's Book Bank distributes over 50,000 free books to children in the Greater Cleveland area.
Our team had the pleasure of visiting the Cleveland Kid's Book Bank warehouse and assisting them with sorting, tagging, bundling, and preparing books for children to enjoy. Each volunteer visit offered us a new way to contribute.
Our first volunteer group had the responsibility of sorting, bundling, and tagging new, donated books that CLE Kid's Book Bank had received.
They told us that this collection of books was especially meaningful because it was the largest donation of Spanish language books they have ever received. “84% of kids who receive books from the Kids’ Book Bank are children of color, but we don’t get many diverse books donated," states the Cleveland Kids' Book Bank. This is the reason for their Books Like Me campaign, in which they work to increase the number of books they get into the hands and homes of the children they serve featuring characters of all colors and backgrounds.
"Volunteering at the children’s book bank with colleagues from different departments involved simple work, good laughs, a solid time - and an even bigger impact," said Taylor Szocs, Customer Service Excellence Manager at IMCD US.
Our second volunteer group was tasked with sorting used, donated books into various categories: short chapter books, picture books, and baby ‘board’ books. The team spent time sorting, inspecting, and packaging up books to be distributed around the Greater Cleveland Area!
The IMCD US Westlake team was honored to participate and help accomplish tasks for the Cleveland Kid’s Book Bank.
"I am grateful to have had the opportunity to volunteer at the Cleveland Kids' Book Bank. Our team accomplished a lot in a small window of time which speaks to how important it is to get involved in our community. I am looking forward to future opportunities to lend a hand," said Savanna Adams, Digital Commerce Specialist (NA).