Beers for Books
Alumnus Gary Bremermann '91 initiates innovative fundraiser
07/13/2009
Amanda Keckin,
Gary Bremermann ’91 initiated a simple fundraising concept in conjunction with Room to Read, an international non-governmental organization that helps increase childhood literacy in developing countries. The fundraiser revolves around beer consumption.
Gary started Beers for Books in Tokyo as a fun and simple way for groups to get together and have a good time while raising money for childhood literacy. What is special about Beers for Books is that anyone can do it anywhere.
The concept is simple—Beers for Books (B4B) events are held at bars or restaurants. For every drink sold, the venue sets aside 100 yen (about $1) from their revenue and donates the money to Room to Read. That 100 yen buys a new local language book in countries like Nepal, Cambodia, and Zambia. The slogan of B4B is “One Beer = One Book”.
The first B4B event took place in February 2009. 13 plus events taken place in San Diego and areas of Japan, including the July 2009 IR/PS Summer Celebrations event in Tokyo. Gary’s goal is to have a B4B event in every district in Japan in 2009, and in every state in the U.S. and province of Canada in 2010. Events are currently being planned in Austin, Boston, Edmonton, Hiroshima, Los Angeles, Nagoya, San Francisco, and Vancouver.
To organize a B4B event for your local alumni chapter, see the Organizer’s Manual in the “Tools” section of the Beers for Books website. For more information on the amazing work that Room to Read does, visit the Room to Read website.
For more information about Beers for Books or Room to Read, contact Gary Bremermann.
