My Giving Story: Stephanie Novicke

My Giving Story starts with my own love of reading. In my memory, it was the only school subject I was “good at”. In my memory, my house was filled with books as a child. I spent time during the summers with my Granny and she fostered that love of reading by having an established “rest time” every afternoon. I read through her collection of Nancy Drew and Little Women.

My Giving Story continues with my current visits with my Granny, who is now 100 years young. We sometimes sit side by side and read our books - she is still a regular at her local library. 

My Giving Story is the realization over the past few years that some students don’t have access to books or books that will impact their lives. Some students only get to read books assigned or available at school and those options need to be, must be diverse and accessible to all students. 

My Giving Story is today when I brought a couple of books from home for a student to borrow and she was so excited to have those options for her choice reading. I believe it is my duty (it just also happens to be my passion) to foster an environment of choice and ownership in reading. 

My Giving Story is this week when I delivered books donated by the Leaders Readers Network to four elementary classes in our district, Sealy ISD. The teachers were so excited, and the kids, oh the kids filled my heart with a joy that I wish I could bottle and give to everyone. The kids were truly so thankful and so excited that they had a book to keep and take home. Their eyes and faces are what reading and giving is all about. They accepted their books with a joy that only kids know and own; the kind of joy that fills the world with hope. If these kids carry this joy to high school and beyond, I can only imagine the world of readers we will have. Reading is power and I want every kid to feel empowered. 

My Giving Story is being a part of this organization; I feel a renewed sense of purpose and hope in the power and beauty of the world of reading.

Want to join the Leaders Readers Network this Giving Tuesday to help ensure children have access to high quality and relevant brand new books? Click here to learn more or Donate Today to sponsor a classroom. Your support will reach the most vulnerable students and unlock a lifelong love for learning, reading and creativity.