Update: Book For A Smile Exchange

When I started this project back in early October, I had no idea the impact it would have on me. The joy I feel in knowing that I have actually brightened a kid’s day in a small way is not something small to me. It’s a big deal.

My original plan was to get rid of the left over 1st editions of The Adventures of Nick and Billy I had stored in boxes under my writing table (click here to see the first post I published announcing Book For A Smile Exchange). I think this project has the potential to be a big thing and I plan to see it through; to continue it for as long as I am able.

Hopefully, a child somewhere, whether it be the hospital in Montana, the detention center in Florida, the school in Connecticut, the makeshift tent-city in the Keys, or several other place that recently received my book, a kid has a grin on his/her face as they read about the two boys preparing their camp in the swamp for an upcoming camp out.

Today I had the honor of meeting two women whose lives are dedicated to helping children. They were kind enough to accept a donation from A Book For A Smile Exchange for the children that pass through their facility daily. Meeting these ladies only strengthened my resolve to bring a smile to children through this project.

Michelle Rogers, Pediatric Nursing Director (Left), Myself (Center), & Michelle Ferguson, Child Life Program Coordinator (Right), at Orange Regional Medical Center, Middletown, NY.

I ask, that if any of you know of a place similar to what I’ve listed above that can use good wholesome reads for teens and young adults to please respond by listing the facilities name and contact information, Thank you!

FYI: The book these kids will be receiving is an award winning book. As one reviewer put it, “ …is a real page-turner with one dire event building on the next, making it exceedingly difficult to not consume this tale all in one sitting. Charming, funny, rugged, and terrifying—“The Adventures of Nick and Billy” is certainly one coming-of-age novel I highly recommend for young (over 12) and old alike!”.

Lonely child photo credit to:    Jesús Rodríguez