San Diego Book Project

 

Michael Meany, married, a Rotarian, and an attorney; has practiced law for over 40 years in San Diego, mostly criminal defense.  His wife was a teacher and they have 3 sons who are grown and self-supporting in the  LA.  His wife was moved to Cesar Chavez school in Barrio Logan where she  learned that the kids did not own books, their families did not own books either.  The cost to purchase books was formidable from an average of $15- $20 per book and up!  That could buy basic necessities. 

 

His friend, Don Brown called him for legal advice after his business burnt down.  He sold medical equipment and said he was done with that business.  His next business was in books. One day Mike asked him what he did with the books that did not sell.  He said they shred them. And that is how the book project began!  His friend was happy to give them to him and he gave them to his wife for the children.  She gave them books as they did their projects in school, she rewarded them with a book.

 

Don Brown gave Mike a portion of his warehouse to store the books.  He is now a 503(c), working in the basement of the warehouse between 15th and F Streets downtown San Diego.  They have given around 6,000 books mostly to kids.   They have nonfiction and many other kinds of books, not just children's books. 

 

Since 2009, they have been hosting a book giveaway on the first Saturday of the month.  The warehouse is open for teachers and other not for profits. He gives books to the homeless Vets, they prefer hardbacks.

 

Penny met Mike at his warehouse, while on a project with another organization.  Michael explained to Penny that he worked the warehouse by himself and was always looking for volunteers to help sort, arrange and distribute the books.  He also needs financial support for expenses.  He ships books to Africa, Peru, India, and Arizona tribes.  

 

He is looking for financial support for an assisted living facility in National City who asked for a library.  The homeless get thousands at the shelters and also the Veterans Village.

 

Michael said the books are no good in the warehouse! The 1,500 sq ft free warehouse is no longer available. He has to move to a bigger warehouse at least 5,000 sq ft.   They are looking in the East Village at $.50 a sq ft.   He sent letters to his family and all are happy for him but got no money. He did get help after The Union-Tribune wrote an article about his book project.  The money that came in kept them alive for about a year. 

 

He is asking for us to help with fundraising, volunteer at the warehouse to sort, to give books out.  The current warehouse is dark, among other businesses that make it hard to get a group to work in the tight hot, dusty warehouse. 

 

The concept is simple; get books, give them out.

 

They need books in Spanish, dictionaries, training books, business books, any kind of book.  Books promote literacy, although he has no statistics to prove his book project is working, teachers say kids with books at home read more and families read as well. Jails are full of people that do not read, he sent one thousand paperback books to the jails until the bookman retired. 

 

A great project by another great Rotarian!