When local bookseller Norm Bruce and author Allan E. Ansorge first envisioned the Books for Soldiers Campaign, they expected maybe 500 books. To date, they have collected more than 2,000.

“There have been programs like this but it’s so expensive… A single hardcover may cost $4.50 just to ship,” said Bruce, the owner of Martha Merrell’s Books. Waukesha’s Books for Soldiers Campaign, however, has found a heartening way around the costs and plans to send the books hand-in-hand with the Hartford National Guard when they get deployed in February.

Ansorage and Bruce were initially moved by a story from a Wisconsin woman’s nephew who had served for three tours in Afghanistan. He only had one book, which he read five times. And he shared it with 15 other soldiers.

“I told her I’d take care of it,” said Ansorge.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Authors Jerry Peterson, Bill Rapp and Deb Baker have joined the collaboration through promotions, word-of-mouth, and collections.

“I would have been happy with a few books but mystery writers are very gregarious, very fun, very nice,” Ansorge joked.

Local businesses are also getting involved as West Wood Health & Fitness Center is collecting books for the campaign.

“If [the soldiers] do have down time then how nice would it be to kick back and relax – to do a little bit of reading – to go to a different place for a while,” West Wood organizer Lori Schultz said.

From bestsellers and biographies to John Grisham and Arthur Conan Doyle, all kinds of books are being donated almost every day.

“I get up in the morning and there are boxes of books on my doorstep,” said Ansorage.

Some donors have signed and written special messages in their books.

“One woman came in with bags and bags full of books,” said Bruce. “And every last one of them was signed by her.”

“It’s a matter of being a booklover and being able to say, ‘I’m doing something,’” said Bruce.

They are accepting donations until Dec. 17 and any overflow donations will go to other nearby troops and southern libraries who are still rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina. You can visit Martha Merrell’s Books during regular business hours or leave donations outside.