Our Book Collectors initiative is off to a great start with more than a dozen, and still growing, organizations, companies or individuals gathering new and like-new children’s books for Lead to Read KC. This consistent stream of donated materials helps us fill requests to support schools, community events, and keep the Reading Is Everywhere locations stocked with more things for kids to read. Let us introduce you to one of the Book Collector companies, Compass Minerals.
Headquartered in Overland Park, Compass Minerals has likely made your drive safer and improved some of the food you have consumed. They provide essential minerals to solve problems and make life easier in communities across the globe. With 175 employees located in the Kansas City metropolitan area, one of them might live in your neighborhood.
Literacy fits into the company’s giving program, Compass Minerals Cares, as one of the issues the employees are interested in supporting. It’s part of their culture to encourage outreach in the community. They placed the Book Collector bin in a prominent location with colorful balloons so everyone who passes it is reminded to bring in books. Their company communications also included a link to the Lead to Read KC Amazon Wish List so staff can purchase items that will ship directly to our offices.
“Our employees are passionate about making a positive impact in the community,” said Kevin Gabriel, Senior Director, Corporate Affairs at Compass Minerals. “We all feel strongly about helping kids and ensuring they all get opportunities and resources to be successful, so giving books to Lead to Read KC helps enrich lives.”
You too can be a Book Collector! Corporate partners are key to Lead to Read KC’s efforts. To learn more and add a book collection tub to your office, email Linda Hughes, linda@leadtoreadkc.org or visit leadtoreadkc.org/books.
Pictured: Compass Minerals employees Rebekah Ellingson (left), Jordan Hawkins (center) and Mary Haubein (right) with the Lead to Read KC Book Collector bin.