Little Free Library Eagle Project
My parents believe that reading is one of the most important skills someone can have and because of that belief they taught me to read at a very early age and provided me with more books than I could count.
I am a 15 year old Life Scout with Troop 131 of Allen, TX. I have earned 50 merit badges and am an Outdoor Awareness Trainer and Patrol Leader.
Books are teachers. Books are friends to lonely kids. Books are dream makers. Books are vehicles that take you to far away places. I want other kids to have the opportunity to have access to books without restrictions. Little Free Libraries are one way to make books available to kids with no strings attached. When I did a search on the Little Free Library website, there were not very many in our area. I contacted many different community leaders to find the best place for some libraries. I will be placing five Little Free Libraries in the community—two at Allen ISD elementary schools, Alton Boyd Elementary School and Lindsey Elementary School, one at St. Jude Catholic Church, one in my neighborhood and one at the Allen Police Department Substation.
Facts About Literacy in America
- 1 in 4 children in America grow up without learning how to read.
- Students who don't read proficiently by the 3rd grade are 4 times likelier to drop out of school.
- Nearly 85% of the juveniles who face trial in the juvenile court system are functionally illiterate, proving that there is a close relationship between illiteracy and crime.
-More than 60% of all inmates are functionally illiterate.
Literacy and reading are probably the most important cornerstones for building a successful life. These Little Free Libraries will provide unrestricted access to books to children and their families in the community. They will provide a place for people to donate their gently used books. And the libraries can serve as service projects for Scout Troops and Patrols, and other non profits for which to collect new and used books.
With the money I raise, I will purchase four of the libraries and engraved posts directly from Little Free Library and custom make the fifth one. My fellow scouts, adult leaders from my troop, friends, and family members will help me complete this project by volunteering their time and expertise. We will paint them, assemble them, attach an information plate, cement them in the ground and fill them with books.
Any amount of donation would be sincerely appreciated. Any excess funds will be donated to Little Free Library at the end of the project. My plan is is to have everything completed and the libraries installed by early May before school is out. So please donate now.
Thank you for taking the time to read my proposal, and thanks again for any donations.
If you would like to donate books, I have a wish list set up on Amazon and Barnes and Noble
https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/9X0CE1UW1QYM/ref=cm_sw_em_r_z_g__wb
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/account/wishlist.jsp?giftlistId=gl24945909114
You can also donate books from Lindsey Elementary School wish list.
