Anderson’s Bookshop “Books for Troops” is a program that ships paperback books to military personnel serving the United States in harm’s way, men and women who receive combat pay for protecting faraway places.
In late October, veterans Matt Nelson and Terry Jelinek from the Naperville American Legion Post 43 stopped by Anderson’s Bookshop in downtown Naperville to present a check for $300 to help cover the cost of mailing books overseas. (Note that no discount is given to send packages to troops, so mailing can be the biggest expense.) Doris Blechman accepted the check, most appreciatively on behalf of Anderson’s, reiterating the fact that sending the books is costly, so funds help tremendously to support the initiative.
Blechman said Erin Keables ran the “Books for Troops” program that began in 2011 after a visit to Naperville’s independent bookshop by award-winning author Jeanne Birdsall. Â The writer had mentioned that her nephew was serving in the 101st Airbourne Division in Afghanistan and that he enjoyed reading, but there weren’t enough books.
Since June 2011, Anderson’s has sent hundreds of paperback books to the troops, thanks to the generosity of customers who donate change for postage in a bank located on the front counter.
Blechman handed to Jelinek a framed “thank you” note with a photo that Anderson’s had received from SFC Nelson when he was deployed, a memento that also sits at the front counter of the bookstore.
Grateful for the selection of reading material, Nelson’s letter is a reminder about how much being remembered means to service men and women when they are deployed far from family and friends.
“When we receive mail, it is shared with all of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines in the command. It is a real morale boost when we receive mail…” Nelson wrote on April 6, 2012.
In addition to a variety of paperback editions that go into every package of Books for Troops, thank you cards signed by Anderson’s customers and kid-crafted bookmarks created by local students are included.
Thanks for supporting Books for Troops!
For complete details about how to sign up a friend, neighbor or family member who qualifies to be part of the program, contact Erin Keables at erin@andersonsbookshop.com.
For more information about the Anderson Bookshop Books for Troops, visit www.andersonsbookshop.com.
