Natalie's Everyday Heroes: Bernie's Book Bank gives out millions of books for free

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- This week's everyday hero wants to make sure every child is a reader.

He says literacy isn't a luxury, but with so many kids falling behind, he came up with a simple idea to help. He's been giving kids books ever since.

And in the last 15 years, Bernie's Book Bank has given away millions of books. And now they're growing in Milwaukee.

"Ah! What's going to happen?" a volunteer exclaims, reading a book to a 2nd grader.

Reading a new book is always fun.

"They rebuilt Sneezy, as snowflakes flew," she read.

But getting a bright green bag full of books to take home, that's even better.

"This is the best day of the week. We get to come in and we deliver books to kids," said Jenna Renno, executive director in Greater Milwaukee.

Kayden Woodring is excited about this day every year.

"I got 'The Girl who Figured it Out.' I got 'Cane Toads,'" he said, going through his bag of books.

All of the kids at Milwaukee's Victory School are getting eight new books.

Principal Rachel Wagoner says in this diverse school, these may be the only books they own.

"We have 23 different languages spoken here," she said. "So, for the kids to be able to take the books home, they really take ownership of that."

That journey home starts here, at Bernie's Book Bank in Lake Bluff, Illinois.

"People who come here really love books," said volunteer Judy Siegal.

Siegal is busy, carefully sandwiching books spine to spine.

"So they don't move around in the bag," she explained.

These volunteers pack millions of books.

"I'll say quality books," founder Brian Floriani said with a smile.

It's an idea Floriani hatched in his garage.

"Fifteen years ago, in my garage. Yep," he said.

Floriani believes kids can read their way to a better life.

His dad, Bernie, did it.

"My grandfather was a coal miner for 51 years. And my dad didn't have running water until he went to college. And he went on to get his doctorate and put three kids through school. And that's in one generation," he said.

Floriani turned that lesson into this 35,000-square-foot facility.

"We want to own this problem. We want to own the solution. Whatever it takes, wherever it takes, whenever it takes it," he said of childhood literacy.

It was his dad's sudden passing, though, that really made Bernie's Book Bank a mission.

"There's a saying that says there's two important days in your life. The day you were born and the day you realize why you were born. And I know why I'm here. And I know what I'm supposed to do," he said.

What Floriani is doing now is expanding.

A warehouse like this is planned for Milwaukee this year.

"It seems like such a simple act to give a kid a book, but the ripple effect that it has, in terms of not just the literacy piece, just the opportunities for their future," Renno said.

To reach more kids who are excited to read.  In these classrooms, Floriani sees kids just like his dad. Kids who could be the next Bernie.

"All children deserve a chance to be readers. And through reading, have a great education and through that, have choices," he said.

The bags of books go out for less than $16 apiece. Kids in the program get them from birth through 6th grade. To qualify, a school needs to have 40% of students who receive free or reduced lunch, or it needs to be a Title I school. The hope is to serve all 96,000 kids in Milwaukee who qualify by the end of 2026.

For more information on Bernie's Book Bank, click here.

If you'd like to nominate an Everyday Hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected].