Crook, Deschutes, Grant, Harney, Jefferson and Northern Klamath Counties

The SMART Reading Central Area team implements SMART Reading programs, and raises funds to support SMART Reading in Central Oregon. In the 2024-25 school year, we served 1,096 PreK through third-grade students and gave away 13,359 books. We are focused on recruiting more volunteers and establishing strong financial support among our communities to ensure we can continue this important work of empowering local children through reading.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Volunteers are a vital part of our mission. We can’t provide reading support and books to local kids without YOU! To find a list of SMART Reading sites near you, click here (or call 541-797-7726).

To learn more about our volunteer roles and submit an application, click here. 

Click here to read SMART Reading Central’s Year-end Report.

Click here to read SMART Reading Central’s Local Newsletter.

Local Staff:

Book Donations:

We are now accepting donations of new and gently used children’s books by appointment Monday through Friday at our Bend office. To schedule a book drop off, call 541-797-7726. SMART Reading is located at 1029 NW 14th Street, Suite 101, Bend, OR 97703.

Donated books will be sorted, cleaned and refurbished with the help of volunteers before being distributed to local kids through free, schoolwide book fairs and other programs. This initiative is an early step in starting a Book Bank in Central Oregon.

Please review the donation criteria below before making an appointment to drop off books:

Interested in hosting a book drive at your business, school or community organization? Click here for a toolkit with resources and promotional flyers. If you have questions or would like more information on hosting a book drive, call our office or email 541-797-7726.

Partners:

SMART Reading partners with local businesses, foundations and organizations that support SMART Reading through financial contributions and employee volunteerism. For a list of our Central Area business, foundation and organization partners, click here ›.

Leadership Councils:

SMART Reading Leadership Councils are groups of individuals who help SMART Reading flourish in our local communities through fundraising and recruitment.  Thank you to our Central Area Leadership Council members:

• Kimberly Barrett – Snap Fitness & Silver Moon Brewing
• Jim Linker – Retired, Umpqua Bank
• Stephanie Nelson – Community Member
• Nancy Taylor – Bryant, Lovlien & Jarvis
• Erin van der Velde – Tetherow Resort
• Marianne Winter – Idaho First Bank

Events

There are no events at this time.