Anderson's calls for 'Book Angel' donors

This time of year finds holiday elves hard at work making the season bright, but at Anderson's Bookshops in Naperville, Downers Grove and LaGrange, the hard work is being accomplished by "Book Angels" doing their part to spread the love of literacy to disadvantaged children.

The program honors Jan Dundon, Anderson's Bookshop's now-retired children's book buyer who helped run the program through its substantial development in the communities Anderson's serves. To honor her devotion and love of books, the annual charitable effort carries her name: Jan's Book Angels.

The project places books in the hands of local disadvantaged children during the holiday season. The store's angel tree is trimmed with angel tags, each bearing a child's name and age. Donors simply select a tag and purchase a book to match. (Even simpler, the bookstore will make the matches for you.)

Anderson's offers a discount on all Jan's Book Angel purchases, wraps each selection and delivers the books to area charities. Charities include Bridge Communities, SmartSteps Foundation, Humanitarian Service Project, Indian Prairie Unit District 204, Naperville Unit District 203, Project Angels Eyes (benefiting Lurie Children's Hospital), GirlForward, Masonic Children's Home, Keeneyville Elementary District 20, The Leader Shop, Partners for Success Alternative School, Aurora's Greenman Elementary School and Constance Morris House in LaGrange.

Individuals, organizations and classrooms don their "angel wings" to help the Jan's Book Angel program. Big or small, all gifts are encouraged.

"Every year the lists of children's names seem to grow, but so does our community's generosity," said Sue Skells, Jan's Book Angel coordinator. "This year we expect a similar outpouring of support from our 'angels.' Such gifts of the heart are welcome."

Then above and beyond what donors contribute, books also are provided by Anderson's Bookshops and Anderson's Bookfair Company, Anderson's Aurora-based children's book wholesale division.

Last year, the effort delivered gift books to more than 2,500 children who then had a chance to open and own a new book, to sense the smell of paper and ink, to anticipate adventure and to discover new worlds through reading.

To participate in Jan's Book Angel program, call Sue Skells at (630) 355-2665 or stop in to an Anderson's Bookshop: 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville; 5112 Main St., Downers Grove; or 26 S. LaGrange Road., LaGrange.