Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Beck.
Hi Debbie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
While traveling in Brazil with my daughter in 2018 and walking to a park in a small coastal town called Paraty,I spotted a VW van (I grew up with those so I was drawn to it) that was multicolored with designs on the side, all doors open and the inside filled with books. The owner was sitting outside at some tables filled with books . As soon as I saw that, I grabbed my daughter’s arm and said “I know what I’m doing when I get home!” We sat down at a park bench with a small little notebook and a pen and we began writing down names of the nonprofit that would soon become The Free Book Buggie.
I had been a volunteer at my children’s elementary school for when a mom friend and I created an I love to Read month program that spanned 11 years. One part of that program was a book swap day where children could bring in books from home and swap them out for new books. We knew that not all children had books at home to bring in so regardless of whether they had books to swap or not, all the children in the school got a book to take home and best of all, they got to choose the book from tables full of donated books. Most of the donated books were from libraries and thrift stores that were throwing them out.
Back to our main story: So, I knew that there were books that were being thrown away and I knew there were children in our communities that had no books in their homes or little to no access to getting books. My goal was to create an organization that helped families overcome two main challenges – financial and access. The goal was to create a nonprofit that both took books to the children in the communities where they live and learn and gave them away free. I sent an email to my friend from Brazil with my plan and said to her, “I know what we’re doing when I get home”. While still in Brazil, I did some research to see if there was an organization in the Twin Cities doing what I wanted to do. You see, I’m not about creating something just to create it or as I put it – I’m not about creating more wheels but strengthening the wheels we already have.
Once back in MN, I filed as a nonprofit with the State of MN and decided not to file for 501(c)(3) until we felt that what we were doing was valued and needed. Well, within 5 months, I decided that we needed to file so we connected an attorney who worked with me on the application pro bono and within months, we received our 501(c)(3) status – on our 1 year anniversary.
In our first year, we gave away 20,000 books and now, in our fourth year, we have gotten over 305,000 books into children’s hands. We partner with over 400 organizations throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding communities to connect with children and families in resource-challenged households.
We started out with my minivan, my garage and my co-founder with our kids as volunteers and board members. I refer to us as the Microsoft of books. We quickly outgrew my garage, moved into a friend’s 3-car garage, grew out of that in 5 months and had to rent an outdoor storage unit. We had 600 sf filled with 26 gaylord boxes overflowing with books of all levels and topics. We had counting and sorting parties every Saturday for 2 hours and in the winter, my co-founder and I did the sorting and counting due to the cold. After two years and a strong connection to Burnsville, we were invited into the Burnsville High School by an Assistant Principal, Chris Belmont. Chris is now the Assistant Superintendent in ISD196 and our biggest fan. So, we are now inside with heat, light, and a fabulous community of student volunteers.
In spring 2022 we purchased our new big Buggie and it hit the road on September 2022. My wish was always to have a Buggie that was like the ice cream truck of books where children would know we were in the neighborhood and come running to get books. And that is what happens at events in our communities! We were able to purchase a used 26′ shuttle bus that was converted into a traveling free children’s book store. A friend of mine and her husband built custom bookshelves and put down colorful foam flooring that the children just love when they come in. I love hearing the children when they come in for the first time – they are so excited which just makes me more excited. We fill it with books of all reading levels, genres and the children are able to choose their own books and as many as they would like.
Even more amazing is that one of my board members, Allison Mann, who started her own publishing house, Hadleigh House Publishing, invited her author friend, Jen Teschendorf, to come to chat with me at a caribou. In our time together, Allison came up with the idea that a book should be written about our story and the two of them set off to turn the journey of TFBB into a children’s book.
They enlisted a local illustrator, Kevin Cannon, to do the illustrations. TFBB book was written in Dyslexic Font so all children could read it and is about having an idea that turned into a dream. A story to encourage children to dream and not be afraid to see where it takes them.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I would say that we have been blessed with amazing volunteers, caring community members and amazing partners who share our vision and are willing to work together to provide our future generations with what they need in life to be successful and have attainable dreams.
As an all-volunteer organization, we depend on volunteers to make up our committees and leadership. We have wonderful donors including individuals, corporations and community clubs who have stepped up to ensure we keep our Buggie on the road, driving the love of reading.
This journey has been something that I never hesitated to take. I’m a risk taker and my outlook is this – if one thing doesn’t work, just turn the corner and try it differently.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Once back from Brazil in 2018, I stopped working in the corporate world to take care of my mother who had Alzheimer’s. I was able to focus some on The Free Book Buggie as a way to destress during that period of time. I lost my mother in 2021, so I poured my all into TFBB.
I went back to school for my master’s degree in 2013 – something I said I’d never do because what would I need it for? Well, that was an impulse announcement to myself in 2012. I started school in Jan. 2013 and graduated with my MPNA (master of public and nonprofit administration) in 2015. I had no designs to do anything like what I am doing now with TFBB. I just wanted to get my master’s because it was a challenge to me. I had a classmate who had started a nonprofit women’s shelter and I remember saying to her that I was proud of her and that I would never be able to start a nonprofit, I didn’t have any idea how to do that or what to do. HA! Well, I proved myself wrong. Three years later, TFBB was born and 7 years later, look where I am.
I’ve learned about myself that whenever I say I’m not going to do something – somehow that seed is planted and years later it turns into reality.
I was most proud of myself for getting my master’s degree, at the age of 52. I finally knew who I was as a student and how I learned best as an adult. I finally loved school, learning and drawing on my life experiences to help me with the classes. I wanted that feeling for everyone! I want children to know that they can be lifelong learners and have choices in their lives – but that all begins with learning to read and loving to read and that begins with having books in their homes.
What sets me apart from others? I have a never-ending amount of energy and creative ideas. I love being a creative thinker and when I tell others about TFBB, their wheels start turning, I can see it happen and that just gets me more excited. I always tell people, when you hear me say “I have an idea” you need to run for the hills!
I am proud of myself for what we have accomplished with TFBB when I realize how far we have come in four years. Passion is what drives me!
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Best – our city is so community-focused, nonprofit supportive and willing to work hard to improve the lives of community members. I like all the community events that are all over the cities, the celebrations. There’s always something to do and see. There are a lot of free things for everyone to participate in.
Least – I’m sad that some of our communities are struggling with issues that we can fix if we work together – homelessness, petty crime. I see that if we can catch children while they are younger and show them that they can and do have positive choices to make, that they can have a better future.
Pricing:
- Our book, TFBB Book, is available on our website and 100% of the proceeds from that book go to support the mission of TFBB – $12.99 (shipping avail for additional $5). We also have discount pricing for multiple copies. Our book will make a wonderful gift for children and families while supporting a wonderful community need.
Contact Info:
- Website: thefreebookbuggie.org
- Instagram: @freebookbuggie
- Facebook: @freebookbuggie
- Twitter: @freebookbug
