<div>My wife, Julia, and I live at 312 Ronalds Street in Iowa City, Iowa, the first UNESCO City of Literature in the U.S. We both have Elementary Ed. teaching degrees, and we understand the importance of early reading. The Iowa City Reading Tree is designed to motivate children to read, to create a sense of community, and to inspire book exchanges around our city.
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<div>An 87-foot-tall white pine tree sat within 20 feet of our house in Robert and Rosalie Moninger’s yard. When the derecho came through in August 2020, the tree swung like a church bell, and we worried that it might crash into our home. The Moningers kindly agreed to have it cut down, and I asked that they leave the last 15 feet so I could build a mini library into the stump.
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<div>In addition to being a mini-free library, this is a community project, dedicated to bringing neighbors and visitors together around a folk-art sculpture. Plans for events include: readings by local authors, mini “porch performances” by local musicians of all ages, small gatherings that pop up spontaneously, local school outings, and more.
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<div>The Iowa City Reading Tree will allow children and adults to “give a book, take a book,” like any mini-library. The distinction is that this tree will “talk” to the children (through a Ring doorbell system) and ask them to pick a book, then come back to read to the tree. Pulling this off will be no easy feat!
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<div><strong><em>Where Will Your Donation Go?</em></strong>
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<div>Over the past year, I have completed the roof on the top to protect the stump from rotting and a roof over the library to protect the books from getting wet. I have also carved 32 animal profiles into the rafter tips. With the help of a few friends, we now have a concrete deck around the tree.<br /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/58699841_1632372159223125_r.jpeg" alt="58699841_1632372159223125_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" /><br /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/58699841_1632372775577524_r.png" alt="58699841_1632372775577524_r.png" width="100%" media_type="3" />
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<div><br />The libraries for the adults’ and children’s books are partially done, though they still require several more refinements:
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<ul>
<li>shake shingle siding, stained and lacquered
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<li>two doors with plexiglass windows and doorknobs
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<li>liners and shelves inside the cabinets to hold the books
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<li>electrical hardware to light the cabinets
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<li>security lighting
</li>

</ul>
<div>In addition, the project still needs the following:
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<ul>
<li>woven cable railing to protect folks from falling off the deck
</li>

<li>stains and wood sealants
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<li>benches along the railings
</li>

<li>landscaping
</li>

</ul>
<div>Annually, we’ll need:
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<ul>
<li>termite and carpenter ant treatments
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<li>wood and concrete sealant
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<li>flowering vines on the tree and landscaping around the deck
</li>

</ul>
<div>The wish list for this project includes items that will expand the use of the tree:
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<ul>
<li>a guestbook to gather emails to announce events
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<li>a Ring doorbell system so the “elves” (inside our house) can talk to children as they select books
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<li>a fund to provide books for kids who can’t afford them (after communicating with their parents via email)
</li>

</ul>
<div><strong><em>Your Donation Makes a Difference!</em></strong>
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<div>All contributions through GoFundMe will be used to support the final construction and general operations of the Iowa City Reading Tree. Every dollar donated through this project will keep the Iowa City Reading Tree blooming with more books for kids and fun community events for years to come.
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<div>Thank you for helping us spread the word about this exciting neighborhood project! We cannot wait for the final reveal! Check back for updates on the Iowa City Reading Tree!
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<div><strong><em>A BIG thank you to our generous donors so far:</em></strong>
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<ul>
<li>Bob and Rosalie Moninger
</li>

<li>City of Iowa City (P.I.N. grant)
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<li>Thrivent Financial Action Team grant
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<li>John Thomas, Iowa City City Councilman
</li>

<li>Bruce Duling Construction
</li>

<li>Jason @ Price Electric
</li>

<li>Fred Reickens Concrete Construction
</li>

<li>Kelli Cerruto, Purple Door Healing
</li>

<li>Laura and Alex Taylor, Woofables
</li>

<li>Michael Swellander
</li>

<li>Doron Lefler
</li>

<li>Jerry Myers
</li>

<li>Kacy Young
</li>

<li>Nancy Hauserman
</li>

<li>Sharon Ho, Honeybee Works LLC
</li>

<li>And the many neighbors who have donated books, puzzles, CDs, and DVDs to give away
</li>

</ul>
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<div>Thank you all,
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<div> 
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<div>Joe Hennager
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<div>319-594-6767
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<div> 
</div>

Elizabeth Heineman

elizabeth heineman

Anonymous

Chad Pfohl

Peg & Art Winters

Sara O'Sullivan

Lee Kisling

Kyle Hach

Richard Dorzweiler

Susan Eberly

Ali Von Hofe

Megan Lewis

Kristin M EvensonHirst

Lauren Tiffany

Doris Witt

Sarah Clark

Madeline Sumkin

The Iowa City Reading Tree, A Community Project

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The Iowa City Reading Tree, A Community Project

Still $1,180 to go. Help us build momentum.