Stories

Teen Donates Hundreds of Books

Even before Leanne F. stood before the congregation at her bat mitzvah, she was a model of responsibility.

To deeper the meaning of this Jewish rite of passage, 13-year-old Leanne collected and donated 100 books to New England Pediatric Care, in Billerica, MA, a skilled nursing facility for children. She shared another 500 books with H.A.L.O.’s Family Circle participants, also.

“I wrote a letter to my classmates asking them to donate a gently–used or new book for the children,” said Leanne. She is an avid reader herself, in between commitments to cheerleading, dancing and basketball.

“The response was great. Then the guests at my bat mitzvah brought hundreds more books. It was overwhelming!” she said.

“This was definitely a maturing experience for Leanne,” according to Rhonda, her mother. “The bat mitzvah party is exciting for the kids, but the significance is that you are now considered a responsible young adult. This project showed her there is more to life than just ’me’.

Leanne’s compassion and dedication to this project tells parents that someone is aware of the challenges their children face on a daily basis, according to Pat Ludwig and Doreen Cummings, Family Circle’s new coordinators.

Leanne plans to make the book drive an annual affair. She is considering a career working with children with disabilities

Privacy Policy