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The campaign focused on two
initiatives, collecting books for
local agencies which service low
income youth and enlisting support
from high-school aged boys called
Book Ambassadors. These young men
assisted the book collection. Book
Ambassadors are: Tourč McCord II of
Moeller High School in Cincinnati,
Jesus Avila of Start, Johnathon Bush
of The University of Toledo, Michael
Carpenter of Rogers, Dannie Duhart
of Sylvania Southview, Ivan Dye of
St. John’s Jesuit, Peter Funk of
Maumee Valley Country Day School,
David Hart of St. Francis, Lorenda
Hurtado of Toledo School of the Arts
and Aaron Thompson of St. John’s
Jesuit.
“I’m excited for our diverse
ambassadors, these young boys
represent the various educational
institutions in Toledo. As this
program grows, we will recruit more
young boys.
Books for Buddies hits close to home
for the Goings’ family, since
literacy and comprehension was an
issue they faced with young Tourč.
“Young boys need to understand if
they have a reading problem not to
give up, His mom read to him every
day. When it was his turn, he
stumbled and became frustrated. His
mother worked with him every day,
over and over again, and never lost
her patience. Now he understands and
has excellent grammar,” says Laneta
Goings.
McCord II and Books for Buddies’
goal is to collect over 1,000 books
by the end of summer. These books
will be donated to Adelante, Boys &
Girls Club of Toledo, Cordelia
Martin, Frederick Douglas Community
Association, LMHA, Big Brothers &
Big Sisters of Northwest Ohio,
Children Services Board, East Toledo
Family Center, and Jimmy Jackson and
Todd Mitchell Basketball Camp.
“Reading opens wide opportunities to
all young people. My favorite books
are adventures, history, science and
realistic science. I want to stay
with Books for Buddies through
college as a second job and become a
lawyer one day,” said McCord.
Channel 13 and Buckeye Cablesystem
are book drop off locations .On
August 12, during the 29th
Northwest Ohio Rib Off in Maumee,
the second book drive will occur
from noon to 6 p.m. Books for
Buddies is also recruiting
volunteers to sort the donated books
or tutor can call 1-866-944-1119.
Books for Buddies sponsors include:
Buckeye Cablesystem, Cedar Creek
Church, Lucas County Sheriff, The
Blade, Toledo Lucas County Public
Library, Toledo Public Schools,
Toledo unit of NAACP, WTVG 13, and
100.7 The Zone.
Books for Buddies Board of Advisors:
Cecelia Adams, PhD, Eddie Allen,
Toledo Mayor Michael Bell, Philana
Marie Boles, Pastor Cedric Brock,
Johnathon Bush, John Fedderke, Jim
Funk, Andrea Goings, M.D., Bill
Goings, Laneta Goings, Robin Goings,
Richard Jackson, Jerome Pecko, PhD,
Yanice Rice-Lamb, Charles Stewart,
Clyde Scoles, John Tharp and
Baldemar Velasquez |
