Spreading Literary Love: Book Drive for Shriners Hospital for Children (Saint Louis)

Earlier in the year, I began looking for a charity that I wanted to work with for the upcoming World Book Night.  Through my daytime job, I discovered a group that I was really interested in working with on a variety of levels:  my local Shriners Hospitals for Children.  However, through further conversations with the staff, I discovered that multiple copies of just the one book may not have been the best fit for the children served, so I decided to change things up a bit.  During the next month, I am running a book drive to expand the hospital’s own personal library for all children served!  I am so excited to present to you my latest project . . .

Let’s first begin by introducing you to Barbara Sacco, Director of Child Life at Shriners Hospitals for Children right here in Saint Louis.  Barbara has worked at Shriners Hospitals for Children for 36 years and counting.  She directs the operations of the Recreational Therapy, Child Life and Patient Education areas in the hospital.

Logo Courtesy of Shriners Hospitals
for Children - St. Louis

At this local hospital, patients range in the age of newborn to 18 years.  Those children with orthopaedic conditions are served in an outpatient clinic, outpatient surgery and inpatient settings.  They come from a nine state area, including Missouri and receive services, regardless of their ability to pay.

Photo Courtesy of Shriners
Hospitals for Children - St. Louis

The facility utilizes books within the hospital for outpatients, inpatients and family members.  They have a number of books available in the patient/parent library, hospital classroom, recreational therapy department playroom and the Teen Lounge.


Shriners Saint Louis is looking for books that will stimulate the children’s desire to read.  These may include current popular titles, classics and special interest.  For the younger children, books with vivid colors are best and hard covers are preferred.  Chapter books are useful in the classroom.  Family members are looking for light reading; something easy to pick up and put down as needed.  Books in Spanish are also frequently requested for readers of all ages.

Photo Courtesy of Shriners
Hospitals for Children - St. Louis

As Barbara states, “Books are a great resource for our children and families to distract attention away from the procedures, surgery and therapy that are necessary during a hospital stay.  Literature can provide a great escape from the stresses associated with childhood hospitalizations.”

I cannot agree more with that last comment and the exact reason that I call for you to assist in bringing this resource to the children and their families of Shriners Hospitals for Children here in Saint Louis.  I particularly urge you to remember those teens in treatment, particularly with the fabulous young adult and teen reads currently gracing the shelves in today’s bookstores.

LITERARY LOVE SKETCH

Who:  The children and their families being served by Shriners Hospitals for Children in Saint Louis.

What:  Books for children aged newborn to 18 years, though I am personally focusing on the young adult and teen reads.  Due to the treatment requirements, ONLY new books are acceptable. Books in Spanish are also encouraged.

Where:  You can mail all books directly to:

Tif Talks Books  

PO Box 260031  

St. Louis, MO  63126

When:  Books will be collected now until Friday, May 11, 2012.

Why:  Barbara Sacco says it best with her previous statement, “Books are a great resource for our children and families to distract attention away from the procedures, surgery and therapy that are necessary during a hospital stay.  Literature can provide a great escape from the stresses associated with childhood hospitalizations.”


Questions? Email me at tiftalksbooks (at) gmail (dot) com

Help to spread the literary love for a great cause!