The Bright Lights Book Project: Donations Now Most Welcome
Contributed by Alys Culhane
The Bright Lights Book Project is now three years old. It is much like Margret and H.A. Rey’s Curious George – somewhat independent, but as always, in need of constant supervision.
When I began this project, I thought that the overhead would remain low. There was just me, who volunteered my time. And because I was distributing just a handful of books a week, my gas costs were negligible. Here’s what happened:
I discovered that there were literally hundreds of books in chest-high boxes, on the VCRS processing floor. I was further told that paperbacks were being shredded by a cadre of dedicated volunteers, and the hardbacks were being pulped. That day I took a few boxes of books, some of which I kept, and some of which I passed on to friends. Shortly thereafter, I resumed literary dumpster diving. I continued to pass books on to appreciative readers. I attribute the continued growth to community support. The common refrain became “Free books! What a wonderful idea!”
It worked both ways. There was never any shortage of books. The Mat-Su and Anchorage School district, community members, and family members donated what became an endless supply of books. And young and old began taking the salvaged books. As Logan Dillinger of Alaska Nomad Cinematics once remarked, “you created a need!” There were so many books coming into VCRS that the staff opened their own bookstore, Rescue Books. There, for a pittance, readers could acquire additional books. BLBP volunteers came from out of the proverbial woodwork. They continue to salvage, sort, clean, categorize, and distribute books.
This past summer the Bright Lights Book Project was a mainstay at the Palmer Museum and Visitor’s Center during Friday Fling. We also passed out BLBP books at the Menard Center Emergency Preparedness Fair and at the Nutcracker Performing Arts Center nonprofit rehearsal. Additionally, books were included in bags of goodies passed out on Christmas day at the Menard Center Family Christmas Dinner. We sent several boxes of books to several Alaskan villages – air cargo carriers donated freight space. I flew to Barrow and assisted Pamella Sampson in organizing a book fair at the Kiita Alternative School.
We eventually moved our basecamp from VCRS to the Meeting House/Church of the Covenant at 415 S. Bailey Street. This location was a perfect logistical fit in terms of our local book distribution network. It began with my contacting local business owner Janet Kincaid, who allowed us to stock bookcases in the Valley Hotel and the hallway by Vagabond Blues. Turkey Red owner Alex Papasavas followed suit. This was just the beginning. We now have twenty-five plus bookcases located in Palmer, Sutton, and Wasilla. And the books go fast; in fact, they go so fast that on some days we distribute them in some locations twice-daily.
This past February (with the assistance of Senator Lisa Murkowski) the Bright Lights book Project acquired 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. The Mat-Su Health Foundation, the Palmer Community Foundation, MTA, and Saltchuk provided us with funding. And shortly thereafter, the Bright Lights Board of Directors held its first meeting. When asked, I say no, I never thought that the Bright Lights Book Project would become what BLBP supporter Timothy Miller calls, “A Community Mainstay.”
First, there was a mission statement, which was “to get books into the hands of appreciative readers.” Then came a vision statement, which is “envisioning the power of literacy to change lives.” We’re now looking to the future. I, along with BLBP board members, are envisioning the creation of a literacy center, one in which local educators will focus on their specific areas of expertise in teaching reading, writing, and ESL classes.
The vision and mission statement combined have created a need on our part for two buildings. The first will be a book distribution center. The second will be the above-mentioned literacy center. To do this, we’re going to need financial backing. We’re currently compiling a list, one which we’ll draw upon when asking local business owners, corporate entities, and community members for financial support.
We’ll do this directly (by contacting potential donors) and indirectly, by asking potential contributors to go to our website, www.brightlightsbookproject.org, and make an online donation.
Sometimes I look at how far we have to go. And sometimes I look at how far we’ve come. Other times, I shake my head and go “wow.”