Lanterns For Literacy
MERCY-USA FOR AID AND DEVELOPMENT
Literacy is a vital skill that can influence a child’s success in all areas of life. According to the Department of Education, one in five adults has difficulty completing tasks due to their literacy level.
At least 500 children benefitted from this program in 2024!
Mercy-USA knows that students who have access to more books in their homes perform better academically. That’s why, in honor of the overlap between Ramadan and National Reading Month, Mercy-USA operated its Lanterns of Literacy Program during March and April of 2024.
With a flicker of generosity, you can illuminate countless young lives, providing them with the keys to unlock realms of imagination and knowledge. Your contribution—whether in the form of cherished books, financial support, or the precious gift of your time—holds the power to transform childrens’ lives and futures.
During the period of March 4th to April 15th, Mercy-USA collected over 5,000 donations
of new and like-new elementary level books to assemble literacy kits for children in low-income Detroit communities, designated to children through their schools, transitional housing
shelters, and community associations based upon need.
These literacy kits have reached more than 500 children and their families!
We also plan to continue this work next year, so stay tuned and contact us (below) if you want to help out!
There are many ways to get involved and help out!
Volunteer with us: We still need help sorting and packaging book donations. We also need help delivering books to kids in need!
Serve as a Lamppost (Next Year): If you would like your business, school, or organization to serve as a drop-off location, please let us know so we can get you set up!
Sponsor this program as a business: We can feature you on this page and make sure that our donors and beneficiaries know that you helped out!
Another easy way to help is to donate a literacy kit for a struggling reader. A $30 donation provides a child with 3 levelled readings books, along with a curated selection of new, and like-new, books obtained through the book drive.
Your donated Literacy Kits will be delivered to children in participating Detroit schools and community centers.
Emerson Wigand: Volunteer and Community Engagement Coordinator ewigand@mercyusa.org
Anam Ahmed: Deputy Domestic Programs Manager anam.ahmed@mercyusa.org
Mercy-USA Office: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (734) 454-0011
97.2%
of Donations Go to the Actual Cause
Mercy-USA is proud to be among the most effective and efficient not-for-profit agencies worldwide. We back up that bold statement with our facts and figures, all of which are made transparent and available for your viewing at all times.
Only 3% of finances are dedicated to fundraising and administrative use. That means that the overwhelming majority of donations from generous individuals and institutions go directly to helping actual causes, on a global scale. With 97% of finances directly and positively impacting those in need, there is no better way to value each dollar. For instant and immediate emergency relief, along with long-term sustainability efforts, Mercy-USA effectively and efficiently provides help and care, worldwide.