$40K in 40 Days for Whitney's 40th Birthday

Hi All,

I am raising $40K for charity in the 40 days before my 40th birthday. Please help me reach my goal! All funds will go directly to Open Books, a Chicago-based literacy organization that transforms kids' lives through reading, writing and the unlimited power of books.

I've supported Open Books for many years with volunteering and funding. I deeply trust and admire the vision of the organization's executive director. We sat down for coffee recently and I was blown away by how Open Books pivoted to support thousands of kids in the most underserved Chicago neighborhoods during the pandemic. They are poised for explosive growth and the funds we raise together will accelerate the organization's ability to deliver literacy and writing programs, and simply get books in kids' hands, in Chicago's hardest hit communities.

Books have powerfully transformed my life. Many of the children who benefit from Open Books live in households where there is no adult to read with and no books on the shelves. I have moments of heartbreak thinking about all the brilliance in these young children that books could help unlock. This is a very personal mission for me as I cannot imagine my life without access to reading and learning. Thank you in advance for being generous in helping me reach my goal.

With love and gratitude,
Whitney