THE IMPACT OF READING

By Bianca Divito-Brown, Communications Intern

Joseph Howard presented his second donation to Director of Library Services Jan Willis and Director of Advancement Brenda Berry last December.

With GSL’s strong emphasis on books and early literacy, it is common for students here to find joy in reading. What is unique is that fifth grader Joseph Howard has taken the joy he’s found in reading and transformed it into a giving opportunity. Joseph, age 10, has been a part of the GSL community since he was a Little Luker. He loves everything about GSL and hopes to stay all the way through 8th grade. His favorite thing about the school? The library. “The library provides a quiet and relaxing place to read and work,” Joseph says. “And, it has most of my favorite books – long, nonfiction.” Like other students at GSL, in first grade Joseph started participating in Accelerated Reading (AR), a program at GSL and other schools that rewards students with points and awards for their reading accomplishments. With time and help from Director of Library Services Jan Willis, Joseph started to get better and faster at reading. Mr. Willis taught him that reading could be fun and exciting. Eventually, he was able to read up to five books a month. Year after year he has racked up AR points, winning awards two years in a row. Joseph felt a great sense of accomplishment and pride after winning these awards. The pure enjoyment of his favorite hobby got him thinking that other students should enjoy the same feeling. How did this translate into giving back? It started with a plan. Joseph wanted to honor Mr. Willis for helping him discover his love of reading. After talking with his parents, he decided to create his own special award for Mr. Willis. And with the help of his parents, he constructed a plan to support the library in a very unique way. “My parents and I decided that I would earn $1 for every AR point,” Joseph says. “Then, twice a year, I would take that money and donate it to the library.” Since May 2021, Joseph has earned a total of 387.70 AR points and has donated $387.70 to the library. “We are very proud of Joseph’s commitment to reading and to giving back,” says Arleen Hill, Joseph’s mom. “He is learning a great lesson about philanthropy, in that it isn’t about the size of a gift, but rather the spirit of giving that is most important.” “In my 41 years as a librarian, I have never had a student donate like this,” says Mr. Willis. “That’s just Joseph. He always immediately thinks about others.” It’s a true win-win situation. The library receives thoughtful donations, and Joseph sees the impact of his gifts. “Joseph’s donations have allowed us to purchase so many new books in different genres,” Willis says. “Students come and check them out all the time.” Joseph, in his shy yet confident way, exudes a sense of pride knowing that he is helping to make a difference. “It feels good to know that I am helping the library get new books all the time,” Joseph says. “I hope my donations help other students learn to love reading like I have.”

In May 2021, Joseph Howard showed his appreciation for Mr. Willis by presenting him with this custom award.