In 2024, Nana’s Books Foundation expanded its reach to Title I schools across six states, bringing thousands of books into the hands of children and adding new resources to classrooms, school libraries, and public libraries. Through school assemblies, classroom visits, shared reading, and books children could call their own, each distribution created new opportunities for understanding, conversation, kindness, and connection.
2024: A Year of Growing Reach
OUR WORK • 2024
2024 AT A GLANCE
Expanding the Reach
6,411
Books Distributed
8
Title I Schools
3,378
Students Reached
6
States Reached
In March 2024, Nana’s Books Foundation delivered 1,331 grade-appropriate books to Shady Grove Elementary School, bringing stories about Alzheimer’s, dementia, disabilities, and inclusion to students, classrooms, and the school library.
The visit brought those stories off the shelves and into the classroom, with books shared directly with students and opportunities to read and talk together. Another 12 books were donated to Wissahickon Valley Public Library, extending the collection into the wider Ambler community.
Books That Open Conversations
AMBLER, PENNSYLVANIA
for Shady Grove Elementary School
1,331 books
Nana’s Books Foundation brought its 2024 collection to Owings Mills Elementary School, placing new books directly into the hands of students while adding titles to classroom collections and the school library.
Students gathered in the library with books selected for their grade levels, including stories exploring Alzheimer’s, dementia, disabilities, differences, family relationships, and inclusion. The distribution also drew local attention, with WBAL-TV visiting the school and speaking with librarian Lisa Fletcher about the Foundation’s work.
Books in Their Hands
OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND
GRADE 1
Students with Helen’s Big World
GRADE 2
Students with My Brother Charlie
GRADE 3
Students with Dad, Jackie and Me
At Mooreland Heights Elementary School, Nana’s Books Foundation paired its 2024 book distribution with time spent reading and talking with students. Dennis Dulniak and his son Mark introduced the Foundation during a school assembly, and Mark later visited a kindergarten classroom to share stories with younger readers.
The connection continued after the visit. Students created thank-you notes and drawings inspired by the books they received, reminding everyone that a book in a child’s hands can spark conversation, curiosity, and connection.
From Books to Belonging
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE
“Thanks for the books! I really like the ALS ones.”
— Mooreland Heights student
One Community, Two Schools
BURRILLVILLE, RHODE ISLAND
In Rhode Island, Nana’s Books Foundation brought approximately 1,200 books to Austin T. Levy and William L. Callahan elementary schools, reaching students across the Burrillville community with stories about Alzheimer’s, dementia, disabilities, inclusion, and understanding.
At Callahan, the visit included time reading with students and a school gathering that brought children together around the Foundation’s mission. Books were also donated to Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library, extending the resources beyond the schools and into the community.
~1,200 books
for two Title I elementary schools
Nana’s Books Foundation delivered 990 Scholastic books to Park Crest Elementary School, providing new books for all 337 students. The collection included 244 books in Spanish, helping more children find stories they could read and share in the language used in their homes and families.
Another 104 books were added for classroom and school libraries, extending the collection beyond the books distributed directly to students. Seventeen additional books were donated to Garland Public Library, carrying those resources into the wider community.
Books for Every Student
GARLAND, TEXAS
for 337 students, classrooms, and the school library
244 books in Spanish
17 more books
for Garland Public Library
1,094 books
Returning Home with Books
CHEEKTOWAGA-SLOAN, NEW YORK
Nana’s Books Foundation brought more than 1,300 books to Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson elementary schools and Julia Boyer Reinstein Library, extending its 2024 reach across the Cheektowaga-Sloan community.
For Foundation President Dennis Dulniak, the distribution also marked a return to familiar ground. A graduate of both elementary schools, Dennis returned with family members and former classmates to distribute books and spend time with students. At Theodore Roosevelt, he read Dancing with Granddad: An Alzheimer’s Story for Children and Their Families with students, bringing the Foundation’s mission into the classroom.
The public library also received children’s and adult books about Alzheimer’s, dementia, disabilities, and related experiences, extending these resources to families throughout the community.
1,300+ books
for two elementary schools and a public library
Reaching Families Through Public Libraries
BEYOND THE SCHOOL DAY
Nana’s Books Foundation also brought its 2024 collection into public libraries, extending access beyond the school day and making books available to children, families, caregivers, and community readers.
Libraries in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, New York, and Tennessee received collections exploring Alzheimer’s, dementia, disabilities, caregiving, and related experiences, bringing thoughtfully selected stories and resources into the communities they serve.
Wissahickon Valley Public Library
Ambler, Pennsylvania
Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library
Burrillville, Rhode Island
Julia Boyer Reinstein Library
Cheektowaga, New York
Knox County Public Library
Knoxville, Tennessee