As we start a new year, for some it can mean a fresh start and a new beginning. For others, it’s like we have before us a brand-new book containing 365 blank pages. An opportunity to fill it with things we want to accomplish, experience, express or share with others and in all our actions be kinder and more charitable.
William Holman, Area Supervisor in the Pampa, TX office in District 2, nominated Books are the Beginning, a fresh start, non-profit, charitable organization that began in 2009, with a dream to provide students, and teachers in impoverished areas of the world with the books and resources necessary for a proper education. “I’ve seen the impact the organization has made by molding the minds of young students and teachers and my hope is that the program continues to assist schools and communities that it serves”, expressed William. “The most important thing is to help end illiteracy, one book at a time. This organization makes a difference by empowering children so they can practice reading at home and perhaps encourage them to write their own book one day. The excitement that kids get to receive books and keep it means so much to them.”
Through their local Church, William’s brother-in-law and sister, Mike and Mary Thrasher from San Marcos, Texas, started to gather books in their community and over the years they had filled containers with over 5,000 books, built libraries and helped to educate teachers in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. In 2015, there was a need and an opportunity to serve locally to help disadvantaged children with books. Their passion has led them to provide well over 200,000 books and that mission continues today, funded solely through donations.
The first campaign that Book are the Beginning started in the United States was called ‘Fall into Reading’ because it only takes one book to fall in love with reading. The program is designed to provide underprivileged school age kids (Pre-K through 5th grade), 4-5 free books a year to keep. Students select books themselves from hundreds of brand-new books provided by the organization and the kids are excited to go shopping for free books. “I have been inspired over the years hearing the magnificent stories told by my sister and brother-in-law during family gatherings and the impact made on kids. Though I am not involved first-hand, the past few years I have personally donated to this amazing non-profit, collected gently used books throughout the years and promoted it when I can because it is a very worthy cause”, said William.
William shared that he has many family ties to Lamar Elementary in Pampa, TX, which is close to J-W Power Company’s field office. All of his (5) siblings, including Danny Holman, former Field Support Supervisor, along with all of their kids and most of the grandchildren went to Lamar Elementary School or will attend in the near future. William’s niece, Mindy Moore, is also a First-Grade Teacher there. “The organization has provided books for (7) elementary schools in San Marcos Texas and (2) elementary schools in Lubbock, Texas”, stated William. “When I heard about J-W Power Company’s charitable contribution program, I nominated this organization because I felt this could really help to spark an interest in books and reading for Lamar Elementary School kids in my hometown of Pampa, Texas.
“Through the lens of my brother-in-law Mike, he once shared a story that puts it all into perspective”, stated William. “He told me that he had visited a school in Lubbock, Texas and on his 6th visit to hand out books, a First-Grade Teacher invited Mike to meet a student. He continued to tell the story of how this kid approached him excitedly and said, “You’re the dude that gives away books and coined him with the nickname ‘Mr. Bookman’. This kid proceeded to tell Mike, ‘Mr. Bookman, before you gave me books, I hated to read because kids made fun of me because I couldn’t read very well. My reading has improved and now I look forward to reading and receiving more books’, exclaimed the kid. ‘I love to read!”
Thank you, William for sharing your insight about this organization and Jeff Latta, District Superintendent, Yukon, OK, for showing your support for this worthy cause. When asked what William would tell others about volunteering or being charitable, he replied, “Give and help where you can”, replied William. “We’ve all been blessed, blessed so much and you can’t ever out give a blessing received.”
If you are interested in learning more about this organization, visit www.booksarethebeginning.org
To learn more about how you can nominate and request funds for a charitable organization you are involved with, watch for an e-mail in early Spring 2024, about J-W Power Company’s Charitable Contributions Program or contact Lynne Treachler, Employees Relations Manager @ [email protected]