Farewell, Kit – Program Manger Kit Steinaway is Retiring
It is bittersweet to say farewell to Kit. She has well earned her retirement, but her humor, insight and willingness to jump in and figure it out will be missed every day. There is not a better person to jump into adventure with.
In 2012 or 2013, when we traveled for regional shows, we would also visit stores. On one of those trips, we purchased a few cards. One of those cards has a quote by Neale Donald Walsch, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."
This described perfectly how we felt every day back in 2012, 2013 and 2014. We were not certain how we would expand the Foundation’s mission nationwide, but we knew that the mission could help change people’s lives – and we knew we wanted to try.
Kit framed those cards and they still hang in our offices today. Kit has been the voice, the helping hand, and the soul of the Foundation.
There is no one else I would want to be with at the end of my comfort zone to help figure it out.
– Pam, Binc’s Executive Director
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 Kit by the numbers:
- 14 years, 5,110 days, giving her heart and soul to guiding book and comic people through the hardest times in their lives.
- Traveled from coast to coast attending more than 66 industry trade shows and conferences.
- Visited over 200+ bookstores (many with husband Gary in tow).
- Sent 100s of store packets to introduce Binc
- Led 38 program committee meetings.
- During Kit’s tenure 4,878 natural disasters occurred … many of which she helped folks through.
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Thanks for the incredible ride!
With the end of 2021, I will begin a new chapter – Retirement. I have spent the last 14 years in the best job of my life. Coming to work each day and being able to help in some small way as book and comic people bravely meet incredible challenges in their lives, has been a true honor. Over these years, I have had the privilege of meeting and working with amazing and dedicated professionals in every facet of the industry. The one thing we all have in common is the firm belief in the importance of the beauty, knowledge, and vibrancy that bookstores and comic shops bring to their communities. For this, and for all of you, I am eternally grateful.
I want to thank the incredible members of the Binc team who made my journey possible. They prove each and every day that when you care about something deeply, you can move mountains.
I leave you all with the best of wishes for 2022 and beyond!
- Kit
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Editor’s Note: Has Kit made a difference in your life? Thank her with a gift to Binc’s fundraising campaign in her honor.
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Matching Challenge Meet, Help Us Hit Our Stretch Goals
Thanks to a matching gift challenge of $15,000 from Penguin Random House, and the generosity of donors believing in the importance of the book and comics industries, Binc has reached its $100,000 campaign goal.
We are incredibly thankful to everyone who has given during this campaign and throughout the year. We don’t make this ask lightly, but every dollar raised allows Binc to continue making a difference in the lives of booksellers and comic shop staff. We still need to raise $200,000 by Dec. 31, 2021 to meet our annual fundraising goal.
In these extraordinary times, with booksellers and comic retailers continuing to face pandemic-related challenges and circumstances, Binc receives an average of 8-10 calls a week. The average grant of $2,100 stabilizes a household, leaving a lasting impact on the recipient and their family.
Through the end of the year, Libro.fm is rewarding donors who contribute $100 to $499 with a 1-month Libro.fm gift membership ($15 value) and for those who give $500 or more to Binc: a 3-month Libro.fm gift membership ($45 value). All gift subscriptions will be emailed to the donors in early January 2022.
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Help Celebrate Clifford’s Birthday and Binc gets a Gift
Sign up for a birthday merchandising kit (while supplies last). If 150 booksellers order the kit, Scholastic will donate $1,000 to Binc. Don’t wait, the order deadline is 12/17.
Details and order form at https://bit.ly/3dqAno9
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Treat yourself
You’re going to make it! You've almost survived holiday season 2021. Treat yourself to a new t-shirt or something fun from one of the stores featured in our Gift Guide (open through the end of the year).
https://www.bincfoundation.org/2021-holiday-gift-guide
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Visit 22 bookstores in 2022
Zibby Books has launched an initiative to encourage people to shop in person at bookstores in 2022. To take part in #22in22, visit www.22in22.net and then start planning all the bookstores (1 bookstore 22 times, 22 different bookstores or any combination of stores and visits) you’ll shop in 2022.
✅ First resolution - done.
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You Helped A Bookseller Find Shelter
Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to live, but a bookseller found themselves grappling with housing insecurity when their building was unexpectedly sold.
Read about how your support provided needed funds and paved the way for this bookseller to find a safe and affordable place to live, eliminating the fear, stress, and the very real possibility of homelessness.
And subscribe to our Monthly Stories to for more content like this.
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“I have been going through a really rough time with repeated hospitalizations. Financially struggling, my friend told me about Binc. So, I took a chance and the program manager was so helpful and understanding. She made the process easy and made me feel at ease. Thanks to Binc and the help they provided I definitely felt a huge weight off my shoulders. I can never thank y’all enough!! If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask.”
—A bookseller you helped
**Quotes may be edited for length, clarity and to help preserve confidentiality.
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Housing Assistance Resources
The pandemic has exacerbated housing concerns, please visit https://www.bincfoundation.org/resources/ for information and housing assistance resources, including links to the FHA Resource Center & Home Counseling Services and a rental assistance finder in Spanish and English.
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Binc Names Winners of Indies with Impact Award and
Carla Gray Memorial Scholarship for Emerging Bookseller-Activists
 Together with Penguin Random House, Binc congratulates Sarah Bruns Putman of Bookish: An Indie Shop for Folks Who Read, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, who has been awarded the Indies with Impact prize. Through this award, Penguin Random House supports, and strengthens the connections bookstores have with their neighbors by providing funding for the winner’s community-based initiative. The inaugural year for this two-year grant program was 2019. This was the second and final opportunity for this award, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns of 2020 and 2021.
“Independent bookstores are essential to local communities, and we are proud to provide support for booksellers who are making such a positive difference in people’s lives,” said Jaci Updike, President of Sales, Penguin Random House U.S. “A heartfelt thank you to our longtime partners at Binc for making this program possible, and for everything they do for the bookselling community across the country.”
 In conjunction with the Friends of Carla Gray committee, Binc congratulates Mackenzie Van Engelenhoven of King's English Bookshop, in Salt Lake City, UT, who has been awarded the Carla Gray Memorial Scholarship for Emerging Bookseller-Activists.
"Bookstores are the heart of a thriving community. The programs that will be launched thanks to these collaborations with Penguin Random House and the Friends of Carla Gray will have a lasting impact on the booksellers, bookstore, readers, and community. We look forward to the two visionary projects launching and seeing their lasting results,” said Binc’s Executive Director Pam French, of Binc.
Read the full press release.
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Happy Holidays!
Wishing you a smooth, successful end of the year, and all of the joys of the season!
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Binc is Here for You
If you are a bookstore employee, comic shop employee, or store owner who is facing an unexpected financial hardship, please contact us. Binc may be able to help.
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