When you want to pick up a new book, the decisions that go through your mind probably are limited to do you want to read your book on your Kindle or in paperback or which book on the summer reading list looks like the shortest option. However, have you ever wondered how you would make that choice if you didn’t have access to any books at all?
When Ryan Trainer, started volunteering at his local library in Redwood City, all he originally thought about was reading to children for a Boy Scout merit badge. Yet as his reading sessions went on, he quickly understood that ”one of the things that really makes a tremendous difference in developing early reading skills…is the presence of books in the home” Ryan recently told Good Morning America. Thus at the ripe young age of 11, Ryan began to organize book drives to help increase young student’s access to reading materials. Over the course of 6 months, Ryan’s efforts led to the donation of 25,000 books that were shipped out to 12 charities, 8 schools, and 7 literacy programs.
Though 25,000 books would be a great success for anyone, Ryan decided he wanted to do more and recruited more teens to help gather more resources in the fight to improve literacy rates in his local community. Now, not only has Ryan’s efforts led to the creation of new chapters of his youth literacy council, but young students now also benefit from math, science and financial literacy classes.
In the end, Ryan just wants to remind everyone that in order to make a difference “it really only takes one person. The Truth”.
If you want to learn more about Ryan’s accomplishment, check out his Good Morning America profile here.
Contributed by Matt Zonis
