Rakestraw Books - Philanthropy
From the opening of the first Rakestraw Books in Danville in 1973, Rakestraw has made it a priority to support regional and local charities through various means. While the shop has moved around town (and changed owners) that committment has never wavered.
Rakestraw Books utilizes its special position as an locally owned independent bookstore and literary community center to offer charitable donations via several avenues. It's estimated that since its inception, the company has given away hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and in kind in ways ranging from gift certificates to books, from specially created author visits to rare signed first editions for charity auctions and fundraisers. Plus, Rakestraw Books creates special events both in-store, and elsewhere, that benefit non-profit organizations. Some of the best-remembered of these include: "Project FiveFour07 with Tim Gunn: A Book Event & Fashion Show" – a benefit for The Princess Project; "An Evening in Italy with Frances Mayes" – a benefit for the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation (and a pair of customers won a trip to Italy!); and "We Remember: An Evening with Historian Richard Reeves" – a benefit for the Danville Veterans' Memorial Hall.
Rakestraw Books takes great pride in working with organizations that support literacy, reading, and the arts. And always, it graciously acknowledges the generosity of donations by its vendors which has been a key factor in their fundraising and donation efforts. For example: several publishers – Random House; W. W. Norton; Simon & Schuster; HarperCollins; Penguin (which also contributed a visit with author and book critic Lev Grossman!); and Grove Atlantic – donated book group sets of books which became part of an auction item for the California Shakespeare Theater Gala. It's just one of many examples of the social responsibility Rakestraw Books feels, supports, and executes.
"Rakestraw Books knows that at the heart of a healthy independent bookstore is a deep connection and dedication to the joy of reading and books," states Rakestraw Books owner Michael Barnard. "By helping to nurture that joy in our community, we help build not only strong relationships, but also a richer and more imaginative future for us all. As long as Rakestraw Books exists, we will proudly and gratefully give back to our community. It is our honor and our pleasure."
[Pictured: The 2009 Staff with Logan & Noah Miller, authors of Either You're In or You're In the Way, at our film festival evening that raised money for film-making classes in local schools.]
A Selection of Our Community Partners
2010 – 2011
