The Sony eink is more forgiving to my older eyes and worth every penny for it.
If you're using a PC like now, you can easily translate most web files with Microsoft Word. That would take care of most of what you read.
An other point is battery charge. The Sony has the best around.
As with most electronic devices, finding ebooks in one format is the most difficult task. We have a lot of public domain titles here that have been formated and may I add embellished by our fellow bloggers. That alone is good for a couple years reading so far!
As for the gift you are preparing, may I suggest that you do it as a group. That effort alone might lessen the burden.
Good luck!