Liquidator donates thousands of Borders books to Chicago Public Schools
A company that is part of a team of liquidators handling Borders' going-out-of-business sales recently donated thousands of books to the Chicago Public Schools system.
Borders is closing its remaining 399 stores, including the flagship store in downtown Ann Arbor.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
More than 8,000 books — which Hilco had to buy from the Borders estate — "were hand-selected" from the 399 stores Borders is closing as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy liquidation, the liquidator said in a news release.
"We believe that education, above all other factors, is the foundation of commercial success and so we have decided to do what we can to help ensure American children receive the best education possible," Hilco CEO Jeffrey B. Hecktman said in a statement. "The book donation was only our first step in a continuing commitment to align our corporate resources with the needs of public education."
Contact AnnArbor.com's Nathan Bomey at (734) 623-2587 or nathanbomey@annarbor.com. You can also follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's newsletters.
Comments
johnnya2
Sun, Sep 11, 2011 : 10:19 p.m.
Who cares what school got the books? This is such a me first attitude it disgusts me. BORDERS was not the one doing the donating. They lost that right when they went bankrupt. The company that OWNED the assets (books etc) made the decision. That company has no affiliation with Ann Arbor. If Borders wanted to donate their inventory to AAPS or YPS, they had the chance when it was still their property.
tdw
Sun, Sep 11, 2011 : 1:33 p.m.
Before I even read the comments I figured the " why not local ? " folks would chime in.If it was local liquidator I could see the beef.But sorry it wasn't . And Ray....how is " hand selecting " 8,000 books ( you have to pay someone to do that ) and donating them too schools " corporate greed ? "
Tom Joad
Sun, Sep 11, 2011 : 5:55 a.m.
Kids in Detroit don't read?
FaithInYpsi
Sun, Sep 11, 2011 : 5:14 a.m.
I have read the comments and I just believe the books should have been sent locally...Ann Arbor, Ypsi, Detroit...whoever needed them most. It was a Michigan based company and it should have been directed to Michigan. It just seems to me that all the charity goes everywhere else. Just like feed everyone else in the world when we have children starving right here. Sad...
John A2
Sun, Sep 11, 2011 : 4:25 a.m.
My first thought is why not us, but that thinking is selfish, self centered, and about the age of a nine year old child. If the books were going to a good cause then they may make it back. Nothing happens in gods world by mistake. Actually Borders, is going out of business the same reason most other grounded companies did; they didn't take notice of the new age of business. Lack of: High tech. , the internet, and great marketing is why Borders went down, they just didn't think it could effect them. What really baffles me is that Jesus told us to take care of the poor and needy, but what I see here and across the world is who cares about the poor. What Christian? who they are Christians by conveniences, but the governor just made the poor, poorer, and just smeared their faces in the mud. Who Cares, really? Is God number one in our lives or is God second or third to your material nature? That is the question we are going to get if there is a heaven. As far as God's concerned if God isn't number one then God's nothing but a convenient lie....
harry
Sun, Sep 11, 2011 : 3:58 a.m.
Corporate greed? The books were donated to a worthy cause. Maybe the intelligent people of Borders/ Ann Arbor shouldn't of run the store into the ground. Your post is just another example of the typical me first/what about us attitude.
rays53
Sun, Sep 11, 2011 : 2:35 a.m.
Wow, what a nice gesture! Come in from Chicago, liquidate an Ann Arbor company, and send product back to Chicago. What about donating the books to Ann Arbor area schools. It's our area that's going to see the biggest impact of the closing. Corporate greed at work again!