Brendan Shares His Love of Reading

Thank you, Brendan Sandnes, for your donation of children's books to Joplin NALA Read!

Brendan Sandnes, Fourth Grade student at Triway Elementary, hopes to pass on his love of reading to other children through his donation of children’s books to Joplin NALA Read. Parents who do not have basic literacy skills are less likely to have reading materials in the home, yet the single most significant factor influencing a child’s early educational success and achievement is an introduction to books and being read to at home prior to starting school. 

After learning about Joplin NALA Read at the United Way Campaign Kick-Off, Brendan went home, sorted through his favorite books that he had read many times, and boxed them up to give to NALA. He told us, “I wish everyone could read – reading is my most favorite thing ever.” The books Brendan donated will be circulated through Joplin NALA Read’s Family Literacy program which helps break the cycle of low literacy as parents and children discover the joy of reading. When asked if there was anything else he wanted to tell our learners he said, “Never give up on anything or your muscles will get weak.” We applaud Brendan for his generous donation, encouragement to our students, and desire to help others.