Over the last three years, Julia Foos has been collecting thousands of books which she then donates to children in need across Greater Cleveland. At the age of fourteen, Foos decided to take action when she read an article regarding the lack of access many children across Cleveland have to books.
As News 5 Cleveland reports, Cleveland has one of the lowest literary rates in the country and studies have shown that 61 percent of low-income children do not have any books at home. Foos has taken over her parent’s basement and now collects books which are then sent to such children.
“That really upset me because I’ve always loved to read,” said Foos. “I was like, ‘I really think I should do something. I have the ability to do something.'”
Foos originally planned to donate around 250 books, but she beat that goal so quickly she continued on sharing her passion. The books are donated by friends, family, schools, and businesses that Foos reaches out to. She then donates them to non-profit charities such as Reach Out and Read, Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank and the United Way “Stuff the Bus with Books” program.
“They’re going to kids in lower-income families who maybe aren’t able to get to a library, or who don’t have access to books at home,” Foos said. “I can’t imagine what my life would have been like if I didn’t have that chance.”
“I think caring about something is one thing, but actually taking action to try to make a difference is on a different level, and we’re so proud of her,” Julia’s mother Heather Foos said.
If you’d like to donate to Foos, then you can find out more by visiting her Facebook page: Books Offer Opportunities for Kids.
Jurgis Bielinis and the Day of the Book Smugglers
Graham Norton to Launch Book Club Podcast with Audible
Artist draws Harry Potter scenes missing from the movies
