Over a dozen students from Annapolis attended a book celebration that
was held at Wellspring Therapy Services, located at 914 Bay Ridge
Road Suite 214, on March 11, 2017. Tyler Stallings, a 5-year-old
kidpreneur who wants more children to spend their free time reading
books at home, created the project where youth can shop for free
books. Tyler was one of 340 young leaders across the country who
received a $500 Disney Summer of Service grant to gather friends and
turn creative ideas into projects that will positively impact their
communities. The latest book event included opportunities for youth to
shop for free books, enjoy snacks donated by Whole Foods Market
Annapolis, Giant Food of Riva Road, and Greenbelt Co-op. Festivities
incorporated coloring, winning prizes, and listening to a story was
read by local author, Joy Medley.
The Maryland Book Bank donated books beyond what Tyler purchased with
grant funds. The nonprofit organization helped the kidpreneur to reach
more youth who could benefit from having access to books. Tyler wanted
to include more selections to offer individuals who reside in various
low-income communities, or who utilize community centers. The grant
and generous donations enabled Tyler to continue his book giveaway
program that he started last year, with the help of his mother--
Andrea Blackstone-- after realizing that all children could not afford
to purchase interesting books to keep. The volunteer effort to share
the joy of reading, is otherwise known on social media as Tyler's
#1000bookgiveaway. His original goal was to give away at least 1,000
books to youth who need or want free books. In 2016, Tyler hosted two
successful reading parties at Bay Ridge Gardens and Annapolis Gardens.
Over the period of many months, Tyler's reading adventure brought
community leaders and children together in Annapolis. Sherry Medley,
founder of Hands of Hope in Annapolis, partnered to help Tyler qualify
as a grant recipient. Thembi DePass, a speech language pathologist who
owns Wellspring Therapy Services, donated kid-friendly space for
Tyler's event. Ericka Wilkins —a local business owner who volunteers
in the community with her sister, Cassandra Wilkins, supported Tyler’s
efforts by helping him to connect with others to host the event.
Customers and community members can now take and exchange books
through the new place to find free books. Before the reading party was
held, youth from Bay Ridge Gardens helped Tyler to paint the community
bookshelf which will be permanently housed in Ericka Wilkins’ salon,
Studio Styles.The business is located across the street from Bay Ridge
Gardens.
After the event ended, and Tyler stocked the community bookshelf, the
young author and philanthropist visited Robinwood to share free books
with children who were at the community center attending an
event.
Over a dozen students from Annapolis attended a book celebration that
was held at Wellspring Therapy Services, located at 914 Bay Ridge
Road Suite 214, on March 11, 2017. Tyler Stallings, a 5-year-old
kidpreneur who wants more children to spend their free time reading
books at home, created the project where youth can shop for free
books. Tyler was one of 340 young leaders across the country who
received a $500 Disney Summer of Service grant to gather friends and
turn creative ideas into projects that will positively impact their
communities. The latest book event included opportunities for youth to
shop for free books, enjoy snacks donated by Whole Foods Market
Annapolis, Giant Food of Riva Road, and Greenbelt Co-op. Festivities
incorporated coloring, winning prizes, and listening to a story was
read by local author, Joy Medley.
The Maryland Book Bank donated books beyond what Tyler purchased with
grant funds. The nonprofit organization helped the kidpreneur to reach
more youth who could benefit from having access to books. Tyler wanted
to include more selections to offer individuals who reside in various
low-income communities, or who utilize community centers. The grant
and generous donations enabled Tyler to continue his book giveaway
program that he started last year, with the help of his mother--
Andrea Blackstone-- after realizing that all children could not afford
to purchase interesting books to keep. The volunteer effort to share
the joy of reading, is otherwise known on social media as Tyler's
#1000bookgiveaway. His original goal was to give away at least 1,000
books to youth who need or want free books. In 2016, Tyler hosted two
successful reading parties at Bay Ridge Gardens and Annapolis Gardens.
Over the period of many months, Tyler's reading adventure brought
community leaders and children together in Annapolis. Sherry Medley,
founder of Hands of Hope in Annapolis, partnered to help Tyler qualify
as a grant recipient. Thembi DePass, a speech language pathologist who
owns Wellspring Therapy Services, donated kid-friendly space for
Tyler's event. Ericka Wilkins —a local business owner who volunteers
in the community with her sister, Cassandra Wilkins, supported Tyler’s
efforts by helping him to connect with others to host the event.
Customers and community members can now take and exchange books
through the new place to find free books. Before the reading party was
held, youth from Bay Ridge Gardens helped Tyler to paint the community
bookshelf which will be permanently housed in Ericka Wilkins’ salon,
Studio Styles.The business is located across the street from Bay Ridge
Gardens.
After the event ended, and Tyler stocked the community bookshelf, the
young author and philanthropist visited Robinwood to share free books
with children who were at the community center attending an
event.1,000 books were given away on March 11, 2017, through Tyler’s
reading campaign. To date, over 2,500 free books have been given to
children in Annapolis, Prince George’s County, and the District of
Columbia, through Tyler’s idea to distribute free books to other youth
who need or want more of them.
