Lissy's Library: Book Re-Gifting Project
Donation protected
Thank you for your interest in donating to support the Lissy's Library Project.
As you probably know, this project is in honor of my grandma, Lissy Jarvik, who passed away last month. She was a pioneering woman in medicine, a Holocaust survivor, and a wonderful, loving grandmother. In honor of her, I have decided to re-gift all 385 unclaimed books from her collection.
So let's run through the math:
It costs $2.75 to mail a package in the US post that is under a pound.
385 books x $2.75 = $1,058.75.
SOME DETAILS TO CONSIDER
- This covers those based inside the United States. Mailing books abroad costs more.
- On the other hand, I can deliver some books locally myself, no need for postage.
- I want these books to truly be gifts! That means that nobody should feel pressured to donate. It also means that if you can donate a little more, you are covering someone else's book. Think about it this way... a $3 donation just about covers you (super!), a $6 just about covers you and someone else (fabulous!), a $9 covers three people (amazing!), and so on.
WHAT IF WE DON'T RAISE $1000?
One of the wonderful things about this project is that it is going to feel meaningful to me (and, I hope, you) no matter at what point we stop. Success does not necessarily have to mean raising $1000 and mailing 385 books. Let's look at some options.
- If we raise $137.5, that covers 50 books
- If we raise $275, that covers 100 books
- If we raise $550, that covers 200 books
- If we raise $825, that covers 300 books
Reaching $1000 would mean that money does not have to be a constraint in deciding where to end this project. But if anywhere from 50 to 350 books go out, I think that will be very exciting. I think that will be a success.
WHAT IF WE RAISE MORE MONEY THAN NEEDED?
Great question! If we exceed our goal or deliver more books locally than expected, I plan to donate any extra money to the Sousa Mendes Foundation in honor of Grandma.
Aristides de Sousa Mendes was the Portuguese consulate who saved my grandma's life in World War II. He signed visas against orders and, in doing so, facilitated the escape of approximately 30,000 refugees. The Sousa Mendes Foundation was created to help reinstate his name. This was a cause that was very important to my Grandma. If you would like to learn more about Aristides de Sousa Mendes, please ask me about him or visit the links below:
WHY DO THIS?
I wrote about this more fully on the book sign-up survey (https://forms.gle/dGJDcftS5ALjBHU38), but here is an abbreviated version:
1. To honor my Grandma and her memory
2. To share (and save) books
3. To create a little joy
4. Because I find this project strange and wonderful, and I know it will make a great story
5. To create art? (I may turn this process into a little documentary for my Grandma. We'll see!)
Please share this project with anyone who you think might enjoy it. There are a lot of books to give away.
Thank you very, very much for your support. I appreciate you, and I can't wait to find you the perfect book.
Sincerely,
Leah Jarvik
Organizer
Leah Jarvik
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
