Dream Big Event Inspires a Love of Reading for the Next Generation

By Jeanna Baxter White

Congratulations to Book Harvest on another fantastic Dream Big Book Drive & Community Celebration! I first met Founder Ginger Young in 2017 and was immediately inspired by her vision for early childhood literacy and her commitment to ensuring that all children have access to engaging, age-appropriate books at home. Supporting this mission was an easy choice, and we are proud to be a sponsor of this event. It’s incredible to see the lasting impact it has on Durham’s young readers! – Larry Colbourne, President of the Mebane Foundation.

A Community Celebration of Books and Literacy

Each year, Book Harvest brings the community together to celebrate the power of books and literacy through its signature event, Dream Big. Traditionally held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, this year’s celebration took place on January 12 to avoid overlapping with Inauguration Day. Dream Big is a vibrant mix of book drive, volunteer opportunities, community partner fair, and family-friendly festival—all with the shared mission of ensuring that every child has access to books and the joy of reading.

At the heart of this gathering is a bold vision: a world where reading, learning, and access to knowledge are fundamental rights for all children, empowering them to thrive.

A Day of Joy, Community, and Connection

Despite the chilly temperatures, over 1,000 people came together at the Golden Belt Campus in Durham for Book Harvest’s 14th Annual Dream Big Book Drive & Community Celebration. The event honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy while reinforcing the importance of literacy in building a just and equitable future.

The energy was electric from the moment the doors opened. B3 Coffee served more than 800 cups of hot chocolate, providing warmth and comfort as families explored the festivities. Inside, a talented face painter delighted children with intricate designs of butterflies, superheroes, and other imaginative creations. The Bouncing Bulldogs, a world-class jump rope team, wowed the crowd with their high-energy performance, sparking excitement among attendees of all ages.

“Our wonderful partners made the day even more special with engaging activities for attendees of all ages. From a Paperhand Puppet parade to poems written by a fox, there was something to delight everyone. Even though snow lingered on the lawn outside, the atmosphere inside was filled with warmth, laughter, and the joy of community,” said Benay Hicks, Book Harvest’s chief external relations officer.

Sharing the Gift of Books

One of the most touching moments of the day was witnessing the sheer volume of books donated by generous community members. In just three hours, thousands of new and gently used children’s books were collected, ensuring that more kids will have books of their own to cherish.

Between December 1 and January 31, 43,437 books were contributed to the Dream Big initiative. This generosity stemmed largely from 53 book drives led by families, schools, scout troops, neighborhood groups, clubs, businesses, and others. Additionally, $131,034 was donated by 30 generous sponsors!

 “This annual event is a reflection of our biggest dreams: a world where every child can grow up in a home rich with books and where our entire community comes together to celebrate the power of literacy. We are filled with gratitude for everyone who helped make this year’s Dream Big event a success—our volunteers, partners, performers, Book Harvest Durham Sponsors, and of course, every single person who came out to celebrate with us,” said Hicks.

How You Can Still Make an Impact

While Dream Big is Book Harvest’s largest book drive of the year, their efforts to provide books to children in Durham and beyond continue year-round. Organizing a book drive is a meaningful way for schools, scout troops, congregations, civic groups, book clubs, and workplaces to get involved.

Book Harvest welcomes donations of new and gently used books for children from birth through age 18. They are especially in need of board books, picture books, Spanish and bilingual books, and diverse stories that reflect all children—honoring different cultures, languages, abilities, and perspectives.

To learn more about how you can support Book Harvest’s mission, visit BookHarvest.org and help ensure that every child has access to the books they need to dream big.

About Book Harvest:  

Book Harvest’s mission is books for every child, support for every parent, and literacy for every community. Internationally recognized for its work to transform children’s literacy, Book Harvest has provided more than 2.4 million books to children and families since its founding in 2011, ensuring that children grow up from birth owning an abundance of books and that parents have the tools and power to ignite and strengthen their children’s literacy for a lifetime. With programs that are grounded in evidence, Book Harvest believes that literacy starts at birth, in the home, powered by parents, and nourished with books. Learn more at bookharvest.org.