“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” –Maya Angelou
I learned of Page 15 last year when I met its executive director Julia Young. I was taken with Julia’s energy and enthusiasm and loved discovering a literacy initiative happening in my own neighborhood. When I experienced a layoff later in the year, one of the things I thought of doing to fill my time was volunteering for Page 15. Following a background check, I started receiving e-mail’s from program director Ryan Rivas about tutoring opportunities. Inevitably I would have schedule conflicts, but one day the call went out for volunteers for Book Bound. Barnie’s Coffee conducted a book drive for Page 15 and now it was time to give away the books. The date and time fit my schedule; sign me up!
Tuesday, October 13, 1:17 PM: Received an e-mail from Ryan. As with all of his e-mails about volunteer opportunities, it is detailed, yet concise. We are told when and where to meet, where to park to get reimbursed, and what we’ll be doing. The best news in the e-mail is that we will be meeting at 9:00 AM instead of 8:00 AM; I feel I’ll be in much better shape to save the world with an extra hour of sleep!
Saturday, October 17, 6:32 PM: Sent Ryan an e-mail to let him know I’ll only be available until 4:00 PM instead of all day. Sadly my friend Peni Lotoza passed away this week and her celebration will be at 6:00 PM. Since I know I’ll already be a sweaty mess by 9:15 AM, I’ve allowed myself some time to get freshened up. Today was beautiful and balmy, I’m hoping Mother Nature will greet Book Bound with the same.
Sunday, October 18, 6:45 AM: Wake up to Brendan exclaiming, “Shit!” He and my dad are going to the sprawling antique and trinket market Renningers in Mount Dora. Dad is picking him up at 7:00 AM and Brendan just woke up.
7:00 AM: Kiss Brendan good-bye.
7:01 AM: Realize that going back to sleep isn’t going to happen and decide to surf the net. Watch some Hulu. Make sure to update my Facebook status to brag about changing the world one book at a time.
8:32 AM: Decide to crawl out of bed and get ready. Feed Morton. Feed Pacino Patchouli, the stray cat who lets us think we’ve adopted him. Get showered and clothed.
8:58 AM: Start walking to Lake Eola after debating with myself about whether or not to drive considering the time. Figure it will be bad form to contribute unnecessary carbon emissions when I write a blog about helping the planet.
9:00 AM: Realize that I may live in Thornton Park, not too far from Lake Eola, but it will still take more than 2 minutes to walk there.
9:13 AM: Arrive at the Downtown Orlando Farmer’s Market at Lake Eola. The Book Bound site is easy to spot because there is a white tent where there normally isn’t one and the tiny pink and green chairs set up by it are a dead giveaway. I meet Ryan Young, Julia’s husband, and Harley, her dad, and a few other people whose names I immediately forget. I learn that Julia is at Urban Think! Bookstore (Page 15 is supported through the Urban Think! Foundation) getting furniture and supplies. Breathe a sigh of relief that nobody is bothered that I was running late.
9:25 AM: Julia arrives with other volunteers in tow. We start working. Green plastic tablecloths are put on the tables, a banner is hung, a table is set up for making bookmarks, and an area is set up under a tree for storytelling. The books have been divided up for us by reading levels and books with a common theme have been grouped together. Our task is to display them in an organized and pleasing fashion. I take on the “Chapter” books, which have been divided into boys books and girls books.
9:45 AM-ish: I take one of the Judy Blume books from the girls section and put it in the boys. I read all of her books as a kid — well, only certain pages in Forever, her book for mature readers — and I remember being teased for reading them. Like a guy doesn’t need to know about a menstrual cycle? Later I confess my act of gender bending to Ryan and I’m happy to learn that if a boy participating in Page 15 program is interested in reading a “girl” book, he is not discouraged.
10:00 AM: Waiting for kids. A few adults pass by and express disappoint that we’re only handing out books for children. It is a beautiful day alternating between breezy and windy; I’m happy that I won’t be perspiring as much as usual today.
10:18 AM: Ryan hands out vouchers for a free lunch at Urban Deli! the new café inside Urban Think!
10:19 AM: I’m hungry.
10:20 AM: Realize I didn’t eat breakfast, so my hunger is justified…for a change.
10:25 AM: Text Brendan to remind him I’m saving the world while he participates in capitalism.
10:32 AM: Julia asks me to help register people. So I sit at the table and start registering parents and their kids, gathering information that will presumably be helpful in seeking grants: parents information, child’s first name and school. Each child can pick out two books.
10:40 AM: Watch an adorable blond kid take a pink chair, raise it above his head, then hurl it to the ground. His mom apologizes, then admonishes the boy by saying that’s the last time he watches Scooby Doo.
11:40 AM: Ryan and Julia ask me if I want to go to lunch. Since I started thinking about it over and hour ago, I jump at the chance. The proprietor of Urban Deli!, Gary Rhodes, has been kind enough to donate lunches to Page 15 volunteers. I enjoy a roast beef sandwich, a bag of chips, and ice tea all on the house!
12:01 PM: When I’m done and heading back, Gary actually thanks me for volunteering. Sounds like a guy who is invested in his community! On the way back, I stop by the Jolly Dogger hot dog stand owned and operated by singer and entrepreneur Rebecca Tex to say hello and casually mention I’m there saving the world.
12:02 PM: Rebecca’s stand has made me hungry.
12:05 PM: I spend a little time wandering around the tent, pointing out books, and picking up displays blown over by the blustery wind. It is clear that my calling is registering people and I return to that duty for the rest of the day.
12:40 PM: Orange County Commissioner Bill Segal stops by. Out of consideration for my friends who are supporting him in the Mayoral race, I will refrain from giving my impressions of his visit.
2:00 PM: Ryan and Julia tell me I’m free to go. I thank them for the opportunity and assure them I’ll be back to help when my schedule allows.
2:01 PM: Buy a hot dog from Rebecca and eat it while chatting with her.
2:10 PM: Take a spin around the market. I buy some radishes and tomatoes from one vendor. Morgan Steele is there selling his affordable folk art, so I buy a small piece for $5 to add to our collection.
2:30 PM-ish: Start heading home feeling great. Plenty of time to get home, chill, then get ready to honor Peni. I can’t really explain it, but somehow through the volunteering I feel like I’ve already started honoring her.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 11:35 AM: Received an e-mail from Page 15 with the subject heading “What a Day!” The e-mail tells me Book Bound attracted 122 adults, registering 174 kids, and we gave out more than 800 books. We collected over $400 in donations, to boot!
Monday, October 26: Received a thank you note in the mail. It contained a green “Read Strong” bracelet — “an homage to your awesomeness” — with instructions to use it any way I want to…except to use it as belt for a small rodent. “Please do not use the band in this way, as we have found, while very fashionable, it only upsets them.”
Have you voted for which moustache you would like to see me grow for Movember? You have until November 1, so there’s still time! Vote for my ’Stach!
