Reflection and resolutions float like visions of sugarplums in our collective consciousness this time of year. It’s also a time to remember that our neighbors in need have needs all year-long. Arizona has countless movers and shakers who make the world a better place and we see a lot of them at Bookmans! One young Bookmans Phoenix partner makes it his mission to spread literacy across the Valley of the Sun. Ethan Scher takes his responsibilities as a community member to the next level.

Meet Community Rockstar Ethan Sher

In preparation for his upcoming Bar Mitzvah, 12-year-old Ethan chose to take on a community service project to help the homeless in Phoenix. United Methodist Outreach Ministries (UMOM) runs the New Day Center, the largest homeless shelter for families in Arizona. Ethan looked into their programs and learned that UMOM offers a weekly program for minors in the shelter called Read to Me. During each session, volunteers read to young people and at the end, the kids choose three books to take home as their own.

Because of UMOM’s need for books, Ethan organized a book drive to help the Read to Me program. His goal was to round up 500 books but he cleared 1000 so far with no signs of stopping. When asked how many he hopes to collect, Ethan answers, “As many as possible. I can’t wait to be able to give the books to UMOM and see the look on the kids’ faces.”

Ethan reached out to Bookmans and we are on board to help out with his important literacy project. He is ahead of schedule but there are still books to be rounded up and donated. If you would like to help add to Ethan’s excellent book drive feel free to contact Bookmans Phoenix at 602.309.9712 or UMOM New Day Center directly. Here’s to the people (and kids) who make our community great!