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Schools

Books, Blood and the Meaning of Giving

Glen Weaver's Sonoma County Free Bookmobile receives 5,118 books from a recent United Way drive

At 25,000 books given away and counting, Glen Weaver, founder of the was thrilled to benefit from the first United Way of the Wine Country book drive supporting his non-profit.

“I want to thank everyone who got into the sharing spirit by going home and scouring the family library for goodies," said Weaver, who until recently served as the Housing Director for ."And a special thanks to all the host site Exchange Bank staff members who spread the word to their customers."

Today, Weaver is dedicating himself full-time to his nonprofit, using grants and donations, and looking for ways to partner with other organizations in planting the seeds of reading.

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“I just figured it was time to put up or shut up, so I left COTS," he said. "We’re really expanding and visiting new sites like the . We were just there at the free lunch program giving away books."

Since forming in July 2009, Sonoma County Free Bookmobile has focused on underserved communities, visiting senior centers, homeless shelters and children's services sites. All books in its collection have been donated and are free. But the best part is the program gives people who might not be able to go to a library access to free books.

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Many people and companies contributed to the United Way effort, especially the can-do folks at JDS Uniphase (is there any charity they don’t support?), who pulled in some special collections for the drive.

"With the community's amazing support, and the help of the Sonoma County Free Bookmobile, we will be able to get a book into the hands of hundreds of children in Sonoma County and help inspire the love of reading. This is especially important during the summer, when reading at home can be key in sustaining skills learned during the school year," said Darlene Fiscus, Vice President of Community Benefit at United Way of the Wine Country.   

The United Way book drive was a two-week effort hoped to collect 1,000 books for Weaver’s rolling book giveaway effort. The drive actually collected 5,118 books for needy teens and kids.

And the timing couldn’t have been better.

“This boosted our supply right when we were running low. We began handing them out at low-income summer programs the very next day,” Weaver said.

The Sonoma County Free Bookmobile needs volunteers to sort and restock at a site in West Sebastopol. If you’re interested in helping, stop by the  at Lucchessi Park on Friday, August 26 and say 'hi' to Weaver. You'll spot him in the big blue and white bookmobile.

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Goodbye Blood Bank of the Redwoods - Hello Blood Centers of the Pacific.

On July 1 Blood Bank of the Redwoods was acquired by Blood Centers of the Pacific, one of the nation’s oldest nonprofit blood centers. According to the unsigned form letter that landed in my mailbox a few days ago, they will be offering donors points to buy “Thank You” gifts for giving blood.

I’ve been a regular donor for years and proudly linked my B-positive gallon medallion to my car keys. I didn’t even need the medallion, really. But it sort of motivated me to get to the gallon level. Next goal? Five gallons, which could take busy me five years.

When people ask me what that big clanking medallion is, it's a chance to talk about how donating blood saves lives. I tell people it doesn’t hurt and I’m should know, since I'm a big baby about stuff like that. I say 'Do you ever go to CVS?' When you see the big donation buses just get in line and get registered in the time it takes to get a cup of coffee.

This transition cut the Blood Bank of the Redwoods staff in half, from 100 to 48. I’ll always give blood, but I’ll miss the staff members and volunteers I’ve gotten to know. I'll miss calling a local number when I've got a quesion. I'll always donate blood, but the cookies and juice are enough reward for me. Prize points? Seems kind of beside the point.

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