By Cori Watkins, writer, PostPress
The Bill of Rights Institute (BRI), according to the institute’s website, was founded in September of 1999 in Arlington, Virginia, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, nonpartisan, educational organization that teaches civics and equips students and teachers to live the ideals of a free and just society. The materials and programs provided by the BRI encompass American history, government and civics. All resources and programs are rooted in the principles of the Founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. BRI offers a variety of programs, resources and scholarship opportunities for middle and high school students.
One such program inaugurated by the BRI is The Power of the Printed Word. The Power of the Printed Word (POTPW) is a funding and printing initiative to enable the BRI to provide pocket copies of the US Constitution to teachers and students nationwide. Through the POTPW campaign, Bill of Rights Institute Director of Corporate Relations Justin Goldstein, a longtime printing and graphic finishing industry veteran, asks printing, binding and graphic finishing companies to donate their time, talent and services to ensure students in their states can have their own pocket constitutions. These pocket constitutions are valuable teaching tools that give students access to primary sources, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The BRI’s pocket constitutions are in high demand among history, government and civics teachers.
Recently, two companies in Ohio rose to the challenge to help provide pocket constitutions to schools in their state. Students across the state of Ohio will have their own copies of America’s founding documents, thanks to the generosity of these two businesses.
Cleveland-based Foote Printing and BindTech, which operates a plant in Macedonia, Ohio, have donated more than 13,500 pocket-sized constitutions for use in Ohio classrooms. The companies donated paper, printing, binding and finishing services as part of BRI’s The Power of the Printed Word campaign.
“I believe a good understanding of the United States Constitution is paramount for creating the civic-minded leaders the US needs now and in the future,” said Foote Printing Co-Owner Michael Duhr.
“BindTech is honored to partner with the Bill of Rights Institute and Foote Printing on The Power of the Printed Word initiative,” said John Helline, CEO of BindTech. “We are happy to support BRI’s vital work providing educators with the classroom resources to help students establish a strong foundation in US history, civics and our founding principles.”
“Through this collaboration we aim to foster a deeper commitment to our constitutional democracy among the next generation,” Helline continued. “The printed word holds immense power to educate and enlighten, and BindTech is honored to harness that power alongside BRI for such a worthy cause.”
Goldstein said he was honored but not surprised that Foote Printing and BindTech offered their services to benefit Ohio kids.
“One of the first things you learn about the printing and graphic finishing industries is that these companies are deeply committed to the communities in which they operate,” he said. “We are incredibly grateful that BindTech and Foote Printing stepped up for Ohio students, and we can’t wait to distribute these pocket constitutions throughout the Buckeye State.”
Because of generous contributions from supporters like Foote Printing and BindTech, all of BRI’s resources are provided free to teachers, students and the general public. As stated on the institute’s website, BRI aspires to bring resources and knowledge to all US schools to ensure social studies educators are better equipped for educating young minds about the Founding and the Constitution. Since its beginning in 1999, BRI has reached five million students and over 50,000 teachers and has increased knowledge of the constitution, all the while inspiring a renewed commitment to protecting the liberties that Americans enjoy.
The BRI is calling all printing companies, binderies and suppliers to help support this inspirational campaign to get pocket constitutions to students.
To learn more about The Power of the Printed Word campaign, visit https://billofrightsinstitute.org/in-kind-donations. For more information on the Bill of Rights Institute, visit https://billofrightsinstitute.org/.
