September 23 (Day 206) Explore the World...Cover to Cover

Her love of books and reading was inspired by her grandmother, Bess O'Keefe and now Jennifer Frances is 'paying it forward.' Hoping to inspire that same love of books and reading to the next generation.  Jennifer has created Bess The Book Bus as the vehicle (literally, I mean vehicle) for passing on that love of reading and the legacy of Grandma Bess! 

Jennifer cashed out a 401K account, bought a used van that she dubbed Bess the Book Bus and began visiting libraries and Boys & Girls Clubs to let each child pick several books. This summer, she expanded her route to 35 states. Jennifer, who has two buses, funds her program with donations and waitressing. (Did you catch that... she believes in her mission so strongly that she has put up her own money.)  Recently one young recipient told her, "You're going to give a lot of kids a book habit." And that, says Jennifer, "sums up my mission statement better than anything."




Bess The Book Bus, Inc. is a charitable, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) mobile literacy outreach. We travel to schools, shelters, and after school programs, where we read stories and give away books. Bess' mission is to open new worlds to those in need by promoting literacy. There is a direct correlation between the number of books in a child's home and their literacy skills. People with higher literacy skills have greater success in life.  We build a passion for literacy through the interactive reading experience. 


Bess the Book Bus is dedicated to reading to children, promoting literacy, and getting books in to the homes of underprivileged children and families in the Tampa area. While our offices are located in South Tampa, the program itself is mobile. This year we have increased our services to include twenty-five Head Start programs, ten summer programs, The Spring, Metropolitan Ministries, Redland Christian Migrant Association, and an after school program. We also support three school libraries that do not have enough books to serve their population.  Bess the Book Bus Drives 11,000 Miles and Delivers 11,000 New Books to Children in Need Across the U.S.


Way to Go, Jennifer!  You inspire us to make a difference! 
 
 
 
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Source: http://www.bessthebookbus.org/