A new Book of Dreams to debut Nov. 23

This year’s Modesto Bee Book of Dreams publishes Nov. 23, highlighting several local nonprofit organizations that do good work in our community.

The Bee started publishing A Book of Dreams in 1990, making this the 25th edition of the annual fundraising effort. Over the years, our readers have contributed roughly $632,000 to help the needy in our area. Last year alone, we raised $63,000.

For the 25th year, The Bee and the Stanislaus Community Foundation, which team up on the effort, decided to handle A Book of Dreams a little bit differently. We sought applications from agencies interested in taking part.

“We were impressed by the many agencies who thoughtfully prepared their applications,” said Marian Kaanon, executive director of the foundation. “While we were unable to include all the agencies in A Book of Dreams, we acknowledge the diverse needs of our region and how local nonprofits are rising to the challenges we face.”

Ten agencies were selected for inclusion in this year’s book. All of them perform good works, from comforting grieving children to helping cancer patients to keeping older folks active.

Once again, we will be asking for donations from the community to help these agencies. The Bee and the foundation both absorb their costs associated with the project, meaning that every dollar given goes directly to the charity. The funds will be distributed during a ceremony in January.

But it’s not just about the money. Many of these agencies also could use volunteers to help in everything from planting sod to grocery shopping.

As we prepare A Book of Dreams, we look forward to bringing their stories to you. And we hope you again will respond with the generosity that has marked this community for the last 24 years.

This story was originally published November 9, 2014 at 6:47 PM with the headline "A new Book of Dreams to debut Nov. 23."