A similar article/listing also appeared in the Dallas Morning News, McKinneyNews.net, and Frisco-OnLine.com.

38 Artists Come Together to Support Low-income Neighborhood Literacy Programs

Despite the fact that the art world is experiencing the same economic struggles as other sectors, 38 artists have generously donated their time and artwork to support a new local non-profit called My Very Own Book (MVOB). Their generous donations are a testament to their support of MVOB’s goals to increase literacy skills in elementary schools in low-income neighborhoods and to put new books into the homes of families who often can’t afford to purchase their own new books.

The public is invited to attend My Very Own Book’s reception and art silent auction on Saturday, December 12, 2009, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the McKinney Avenue Contemporary (MAC) gallery in Uptown Dallas. Guests will enjoy a silent auction with art to suit a wide range of tastes and budgets, an opportunity to meet some of the artists, appetizers donated by Market Street Catering and a free door prize drawing for a $75 gift certificate from Tom Battles Custom Framing. Also, during the event, artist Scott Wade will create his “dirty car art” on the car of one lucky raffle drawing winner. To RSVP or to see photos of the artwork, go to www.myveryownbook.org.

My Very Own Book is very grateful to the participating artists, Market Street, and Tom Battles Custom Framing. It is with their support that the organization will be able to distribute approximately 4,500 new books this year to students in their three schools in Dallas ISD, Plano ISD, and Richardson ISD, and hopefully expand to more schools next year. A big thanks goes out to artists:

During the months of October and November the Wiggly Play Center in Frisco is hosting a new book drive for local non-profit My Very Own Book. Parents who bring a new book(s) to the center will receive discounted admissions, free sodas, and birthday party discounts listed below.

My Very Own Book runs reading incentive programs in elementary schools in low-income neighborhoods in North Texas.  Students read outside of school hours and are rewarded every six weeks with a new, free book of their choice.  My Very Own Book’s goals are to increase literacy skills, put new books into the homes of families who often can’t afford to purchase their own books, and create lifelong readers.  The organization needs approximately 4,500 books for their program this school year.  

A facility very in touch with families in North Texas, the Wiggly Play Center shares the non-profit’s goals.  “We are proud to be able to support My Very Own Book’s efforts to encourage reading and provide students with books,” says General Manager David Avery.  “We hope our customers will take us up on our discount offers and bring new books to the center.”

My Very Own Book encourages parents and Moms/Dads groups to plan a book drive birthday party or play date.  It is a great way to save money at the center while also teaching children about the importance of giving to others. 

Discounts offered are:

• Donate one new book* per child and pay only $4.50 admission (normally $7.45 M-F, $8.45 weekends).
  
• Donate two new books per child and pay only $4.50 admission and receive a free soda.
  
• Birthday Parties:  Packages are for eight children with each additional child normally costing $13.99.  Bring a new book per child and pay only $6.50. 

*MVOB is currently most in need of Pre-K to 2^nd grade books.

Wiggly Play Center is located at 4944 Preston Road, Suite 100 in Frisco.  http://www.wigglyplaycenter.com

Borders bookstores know first-hand the educational enrichment and the joy a book can bring to the life of a student.  Despite their reasonable prices and weekly coupons, they also fully understand that there are some parents that cannot afford to buy their children new books.  A company with heart, they are actively making new book ownership a real possibility for low-income students in North Texas.

Now through September 6^th the Borders bookstore in Allen and the Borders bookstore in West Plano (addresses below) are running in-store book drives for the 501(c)(3) non-profit My Very Own Book.  This school year My Very Own Book will run their reading incentive program in one elementary school in a low-income neighborhood in Plano, in Richardson, and in Dallas ISDs.  Students read outside of school hours and are rewarded every six weeks with a new, free book of their choice.  My Very Own Book’s goals are to increase literacy skills, put new books into the homes of families who often can’t afford to purchase their own books, and create lifelong readers. 

The outpouring of support thus far shows that the community understands the importance of My Very Own Book’s goals.  In the first week more than 400 books were donated.  Showing their commitment to this project, Borders is not just counting on their customers.  In addition to the man hours put in on setting up book drive displays and promoting the event, they also offered a 20% discount on children’s books during the first week and will continue to do all they can to make the drive a success.       

Borders Allen – 965 West Bethany Drive, in Watters Creek complex at the corner of Bethany and Central Expressway

Borders West Plano – 1601 Preston Road, Suite J, on the West side of Preston and South of Park Boulevard

My Very Own Book Celebrates "National Make a Difference to Children" Month

July is "National Make a Difference to Children" month. My Very Own Book, a new 501(c)(3) non-profit working hard to make a difference to children through reading incentive programs run in elementary schools in low-income neighborhoods in North Texas, invites you to their first fundraiser. The success of this event will be critical in determining how many schools the organization is able to serve during the 2009-2010 school year.

The event will be held on Thursday, July 30, from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. at the Angelika Film Center, 7205 Bishop Road in Plano (Shops at Legacy). Attendees will enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres catered and donated by Romano's Macaroni Grill, free door prize drawings, and a private viewing of the movie The Reading Room, starring James Earl Jones. Also, the school with the most attendees will win a Domino's classroom pizza party (5 large pizzas). 

For more information about this event or to RSVP, please go to http://www.myveryownbook.org/MovieEvent.html.

My Very Own Book would like to thank our outstanding Host Committee:  Aparicio's Mexican Restaurant, Cinemark USA, Domino's Pizza, Meredith & Dan Fisherman, Tanya & Jason Hunt, Melissa Jaye, Lisa Mashigian & Jeanne Rubin, Dawnetta Miller & Blue Martinez, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Romano's Macaroni Grill & Kim Ahrens, Staples, Jack G.B. Ternan, Jr., Barb Walters, and Lynn Wolfe & Milo Gienger.  My Very Own Book is a 501(c)(3) organization established to run reading incentive programs in elementary schools in low-income neighborhoods in North Texas.  Students read outside of school hours and are rewarded with certificates and free new books at the end of each grading period.    www.myveryownbook.org