Goddard School Collects 27,000 During 2022 Fundraiser

PLAINFIELD, IL — More than 27,000 books have been collected to benefit Bernie's Book Bank after a month-long book drive planned by The Goddard School. The ninth-annual Chicagoland effort surpassed the organization's goal by about 2,000 books, officials said Thursday.

The book drive, which took place throughout February, happens yearly in an effort to connect underserved children with lots of books. In the Chicagoland area, there are 25 local Goddard schools, including ones in Plainfield and Aurora.

Between locations, organizers set a goal to collect a combined 25,000 books this year.

Since starting the book drive in 2014, The Goddard School has collected a total of 238,000 books to benefit more than 570 schools across 38 states, according to a news release.

For the fundraiser, The Goddard School, an early childcare provider for kids ages six weeks to six years old, partners with Bernie's Book Bank, a nonprofit that collects new and gently used books to donate to underserved children.