Compassion By The Book

So last week we mentioned a way you can make a difference, by donating your books to a NonProfit started by non other than one of our own, Kurtis Griess.  He wrote about his organization below to give you some information about what inspired him and exactly what he does.  Enjoy!  And start thinking and praying about what you can do to help.

We all know that textbooks are a necessary evil in college, but do you know just how valuable they really are? I'm not talking about the pages and pages of knowledge or formulas. I'm talking about world-changing potential. They give you the power to change lives. Want to feed the hungry, provide clean water, or cure cancer? You can help right now. How about something closer to home: you could help someone without the financial means attend Fall Conference, WinterVarsity, or Chapter Camp (a weeklong summer gathering) - and you could change a life forever.

How do I know you can? Because I did. Last year. And you can do so much more.

Last year, I took a plunge and decided to ask some friends if they had any textbooks they were not using and I explained I wanted to raise money for InterVarsity (IV). It opened doors to talk to my friends about why I love InterVarsity and want to support it. Eight of my friends gave their textbooks, which I sold, and together we raised $1200 for IV. Of that money, $600 was immediately put to good use by providing scholarships to Freshmen who might not otherwise have attended Fall Conference.

I envisioned more. What else could this idea do? So I spread the idea and that first year it raised over $13,000 for eight causes including American Red Cross, World Vision, Food for the Hungry, and of course IV! Ryan Rowlette (staff at Mines) encouraged me to start a nonprofit to do this and after much consideration, that is exactly what I am doing now.

Compassion by the Book. That's the nonprofit's name - because you are litterally showing compassion by contributing a book to be sold for a nonprofit cause. There's a double or a triple meaning in the name if you look for it. Compassion by the Book aims to help you make an impact in what you care about. You choose the nonprofit cause and collect the books and we will turn them into financial support for your chosen organization.

I'm not proposing that giving your textbooks away will be easy. It is a choice between helping yourself (which may be necessary at times!) and helping a cause. So here are some ideas to help you choose whether you can donate:

1. What does your cause mean to you? Is it worth sacrificing something for?

2. Were you planning on keeping a book for reference material? Trade it. In several cases, we have books (one edition older) to trade you so that your book is put to good use and you still have the reference material!

3. Do you have friends with books? You can collect and donate their books by asking them to help support your cause.

4. Were you going to sell back to the Bookstore? The bookstore only gives 50% of the original price so that they can turn a profit. Instead of accepting this deal, there's a greater value for your books to be found. Compassion by the Book finds the best value for your book and gets the most for your chosen cause.

5. Did your parents buy the books? Ask them if they would be all right with you donating on behalf of something you care deeply about!

In the end, textbooks are merely a tool - it's your hearts I really care about. Giving a textbook is a simple way your heart can say, "I care about this more than myself". This is an opportunity to support a cause you love. This is a chance for you to go deeper and get your hands dirty in InterVarsity's mission. You could change a life forever. 

What would you give a textbook to support? Why? Have you already given a textbook? Have you ever received a scholarship for an InterVarsity conference? Would it have been worth donating a textbook?

The easiest way to help and learn more? 

Become a fan of Compassion by the Book on Facebook. 

Have any questions for Kurtis or others about getting involved? 

Ask in the comments below or on the Facebook page for Compassion by the Book.

For more information you can also check out Kurtis' blog.

You can bring textbooks to your Bible Study or give them to a leader and they will take care of it for you.  Also feel free to give them next semester.

I know that I am pretty weary when it comes to giving money to different organizations so please comment with any questions so that you feel good about donating your books.  Kurtis will be checking back in on the post and be answering any questions you have so make sure to ask them!