MADISON – Madison Reading Project announces today a new project to purchase a new, all-accessible, ADA-compliant Big Red Reading Bus!
Widely known for giving over 110,000 free books to over 74,900 children last year, Madison Reading Project’s newest initiative will eliminate physical barriers that prevent some children, parents, and caregivers from receiving books and literacy programming.
MRP (Madison Reading Project) rolled out its first book bus in 2019, and in the past year alone, the Big Red Reading Bus delivered more than 13,300 books to over 10,000 children. With the bus, they have tripled the impact over the last three years.
Following the success of those last three years throughout greater Dane County, a second, all-accessible bus will safely meet even greater literacy needs, engaging readers where they are.
Soon to become a familiar sight at schools, neighborhood centers, social services agencies, and community events, the new Reading Bus will be a year-round, all-weather vehicle with more than double its capacity to bring books and literacy programs to children in South Central Wisconsin. The original bus will be rerouted to serve smaller program sites, events, and bulk book deliveries.
“The popularity and use of our existing sprinter-type van blew past our original expectations,” says MRP executive director and founder Rowan Childs. “It is a magical free book fair on wheels! It gives kids that exciting, new book feeling, arriving where kids are. It offers an opportunity to engage kids with a unique experience to board the bus, select a book or two from hundreds of choices, take the book to keep forever to enjoy, read again, and grow their own home library. The bus has truly been a literacy game-changer for our organization.”
A Bigger and Better Bus
“We are beyond excited to add a new bus to our fleet! The new vehicle will make the book shopping experience more engaging and fun for all kids and will allow us to expand our reach significantly. We’re most looking forward to the accessibility features, including a wheelchair lift, more space for books, kids, and staff, and climate control that will allow us to serve our community year-round!
“When we introduced the first bus, we anticipated increased awareness of our organization, hoped it would add a fun vibe to our book-giving events, and help us become much more efficient with bringing thousands of book choices to children. It quickly exceeded our impact expectations and fortified our mission. When it drives up to a school or community center, kids get excited and know its arrival means something fun just for them.”
New partners, such as Miracle League of Dane County, Easterseals, Gigi’s Playhouse, and United Cerebral Palsy, can now be added as MRP partners. The new vehicle’s configuration will maximize opportunities for enhancing literacy experiences for every child. Feedback from a future beneficiary confirms this: “We’re excited to hear you’ll soon have a vehicle all of our kids can enjoy,” says Bill Schultz, Miracle League of Dane County founder.
“We began a silent, nonpublic fundraising effort this past fall, and we’re delighted with our community’s response so far,” says Ann Christianson, MRP development coordinator. “Community support from literacy champions like Madison Community Foundation, American Girl, and others has been remarkable and truly appreciated.”
“We’re thrilled to announce our plans that will excite children, parents, and educators across the area,” Childs adds. “Since the launch of our first bus,, we’ve been able to roll out and significantly grow our literacy initiatives to ignite children’s love for reading. We can now expand those plans and reach more children than ever.”
The new vehicle delivery is expected in spring 2024.
All donations of any amount are appreciated. Madison Reading Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit making gifts eligible to be tax deductible. Visit our website, madisonreadingproject.com/
Madison Reading Project connects our community with free books and literacy resources that ignite a love for reading and affirm and reflect the diversity of young readers.
