Bettering the World, One Book at a Time

No one could miss those eye-catching lime green donation bins all over Atlanta, stamped with the slogan “Buy Books. Do Good.” Formed by a trio of pals in Indiana in 2002, Better World Books is the owner of said bins, and the founders have developed an innovative enterprise with a core of social and environmental responsibility. Better World Books collects used books via the green bins and resells them online, donating a percentage of all revenues to several nonprofits who promote literacy.

One major literacy partner is Books For Africa, which has a mammoth book-shipping warehouse off Plant Atkinson Road in Smyrna. Books For Africa has a goal as simple as its name: to end the book famine in Africa. With their help, Better World Books has sent 58 containers of books to 23 African countries to promote literacy in developing nations. Better World Books achieved a noteworthy goal this past week: to date, they have shipped more than one million books and have donated $2 million to Africa.

The partnership between Better World Books and Books For Africa is a beneficial situation for both organizations, allowing both to maximize their positive impact on spreading literacy.

Last Saturday, the Books For Africa warehouse bid “bon voyage” to an 18-wheeler tractor trailer containing precious cargo: 40,000 books headed for the Republic of Angola, in South Central Africa, courtesy of Better World Books. The success was marked with a “Warehouse Party and Open House” also celebrating featuring founding members of both Better World Books and Books For Africa. The public was invited to enjoy a video presentation, food, South African wines, and live music by the Books For Africa Warehouse Band.

Books For Africa Founder Tom Warth is passionate about his cause and spoke to the crowd at Saturday’s celebration about its importance.

“There are over 400 million children in Africa and most of them have never held a book in their lives. Books For Africa is successfully spreading literacy as a bridge out of poverty, but we have to do more,” he urged.

Assistant Director Deborah McDonald introduced staff members who coordinate and train volunteers, manage shipments, and run the warehouse. She also thanked the volunteers for all their hard work and spoke about the importance of what they are helping Books For Africa to accomplish. Volunteers help to sort and pack the many thousands Books For Africa receives on a weekly basis.

Although temperatures were toasty in the BFA Warehouse, the hundred or so book-lovers were in great spirits as the band cranked up and the good times rolled. A wide cross-section of folks attended and enjoyed themselves as they hobnobbed, ate, drank, talked and danced. One true bibliophile volunteer never stopped sorting books.

All the materials Books For Africa ships are donated from a variety of sources and the organization depends on community volunteers to help sort and pack. The party also celebrated the second anniversary of BFA’s Atlanta Warehouse and served as an Open House for curious people to come see what the buzz is all about. Volunteers are always needed and groups are welcome.

For more information about volunteering for this worthy cause, visit www.booksforafrica.org or email coordinator@booksforafrica.org.