The freedom to read is under attack. Across America, book bans are on the rise, threatening to silence the voices of authors and deprive us of the stories that help us understand ourselves and the world around us. As publishers dedicated to protecting the right to read, this censorship demands our collective action. We are excited to announce Penguin Random House’s first-ever Banned on the Run 5k—a new way for our PRH community to take action together.
From April 6th – 12th, in honor of National Library Week, participants can log miles to raise money for the Freedom to Read Foundation, an organization affiliated with the American Library Association (ALA) that protects and defends the First Amendment. This event is an activity challenge, meaning you can log miles based on a number of movements and activities including—but not limited to! — running. You can walk, stretch, do a puzzle, garden, cook – it all equals miles you can log. Find more information about how to translate your activity of choice into miles in the conversion chart below.
NYC-based employees will also have the option to gather for an in- person run/walk on Wednesday, April 9th. (More information to come!) We encourage remote employees to organize local meetups in their communities.
If you pledge $25 in donations, you will receive a T-shirt. Inspired to raise more? Our top 3 fundraisers will receive their own a stack of banned or challenged books!
As part of our Matching Gifts Program, Penguin Random House will match up to $1,500 per employee in fundraising for the Freedom to Read Foundation (included in the $2,500 per employee annual maximum.)
Banned on the Run is open to PRH US employees only. Registration begins on Monday, March 24th and ends Saturday, April 5th. Together, we can ensure that every voice is heard, and every story is told. Together, we can save stories with every mile. Will you join us?
