7.13.2011

July 13, 2011

White Dog and The White Dog Army
Wonderful World Wednesday

White Dog has grown up around books and as each of the WDA has joined our family they have been introduced to and grown to enjoy our afternoon tradition of reading time. We all gather together and I share by reading aloud my current read. When they read that the world is currently facing a global illiteracy pandemic they were saddened that so many cannot enjoy the pleasures of the written word.

Did you know:
• Globally, an estimated 781 million adults are illiterate. Of that number, approximately 64 percent are women. - UNESCO Institute for Statistics
• In the United States, 30 million adults possess below-basic literacy skills. Eleven million are non-literate in English. - National Assessment of Adult Literacy

Our favorite bookstore has a special mission that gives us hope that illiteracy can be overcome, Better World Books was founded in 2002 by three friends from the University of Notre Dame who started selling textbooks online to earn some money, and ended up forming a pioneering social enterprise — a business with a mission to promote literacy.

They believe that education and access to books are basic human rights. That's why books sold on their website help fund high-impact literacy projects in the United States and around the world.

All books are available with free shipping worldwide. And in case you're concerned about your eco-footprint, every order shipped from Mishawaka is carbon balanced with Green-e Climate certified offsets from 3Degrees, a leading green power and carbon balancing services firm.

In addition to selling new titles, Better World Books supports book drives and collects used books and textbooks through a network of over 1,800 college campuses and partnerships with over 2,000 libraries nationwide. So far, the company has converted more than 56 million books into over $9.4 million in funding for literacy and education. In the process, they’ve also diverted more than 70 million pounds of books from landfills.

Because BBW believes that most every book has lasting value and the potential to help change the world, they see their job as helping to find new homes for unwanted books. Thus far, they have donated 4.5 million books to partner programs around the world.

Better World Books is committed to the environment. They never, ever, ever throw away a book. Any book that can’t find a proper home is recycled. Always.:
• Re-used or recycled over 70 million pounds of books
• Reclaimed more than 720,000 pounds of metal shelving from libraries across the USA
• 21,000 tons of carbon offset on BetterWorldBooks.com shipping

A bookstore with a mission to create a better world, one book at a time gives our reading time special meaning. And once again reminds The White Dog Army that it IS a wonderful world!

Special Note: Anyone looking for a place to send the summer read books they have finished or if you are a little late with Spring Cleaning...we plan on having a gently used book stall ($5 donation get 3 books) at the 2MillionDog Puppy Up New Mexico! Cancer Walk/Event Sept. 25 and are looking for donations of all kinds. Send us know and we will work the details for making sure yours go to loving homes AND help canine cancer research!

15 comments:

Asta said...

Dawling white doggies
I just love bookses ..I was taught eawly on to wespect them and tweasoowe them. Mommi weads to me often and I nevew evew teaw any of them apawt.
We think youw place sounds wondewful and we will twy to gathew some books to send
smoochie kisses
ASTA

KB said...

We are book lovers here too. I didn't know about Better World Books but I'll be checking them out!

I'm curious about how the thyroid test turned out. I'm guessing normal since you haven't mentioned it. I'm rooting so hard for an easy "fix"!

rottrover said...

We have several piles of books looking for good homes. Please e-mail me details. We'd love for them to go to a good cause.

The Daily Pip said...

What a great idea! We love books in our house, too, and will definitely check out Better World Books!

Your pal, Pip

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Thank you for sharing all this information with us!
love
tweedles

Kari in Alaska said...

Reading is one of my favorite hobbies. I love my library

Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com

Teddy Bear said...

You look adorable in your glasses, Siku.:) Mommy loves books.:) Thank you for telling us about Better World Books.:)

Love,
Teddy Bear & Sierra

24 Paws of Love said...

What a great idea and a great way to help.

And may I say thank you for your comment on my blog, I really needed to hear your kind words today. :)

Mack said...

That is so sad that so many people can't read.
I must confess I love books, but mainly just to shred them!
Thanks for letting us know about BWB!

Brian's Home Blog said...

Such a wonderful idea fur sure!

Random Felines said...

Wow - mom is going to have to check them out. She loves to read and had quite the bookshelves.

Remington said...

Awesome! Reading is the BEST!

meowmeowmans said...

What a wonderful idea! I had never before heard of BWB, but I will definitely check them out.

I love your new blog header! :)

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Mum thinks books are important too and has always made sure she buys for the grandchildren early and reads to them. Very interesting post. Love the glasses picture.. Hugs GJ xx

Sagira said...

What a great idea on the sale. Sounds like your Puppy Up is going to be fun. The lady who normally organizes ours was diagnosed with cancer and isn't putting it together this year.