As part of Park Road’s Supporting Our Schools mission outreach initiative, over 1000 books were distributed to the students at Marie G. Davis K-8 school in December. The book giveaway event, called Book-a-Palooza, was organized and supervised by Park Road’s own George Miles with help from a number of church members.

The 2021-22 school year marks the seventh year of Park Road’s and George’s involvement in the book giveaway program. Collection and purchases of new and used books is part of Park Road’s Support Our Schools ministry outreach. As a result of the program, George estimates that over 18,000 books have been given to students primarily from low-income families who otherwise might not have ready access to books in their homes. The program is designed to encourage reading and enjoyment of books beyond the classroom setting.

George believes that both the teachers and students greatly appreciate the book giveaways. “Feedback from the staff has been incredible,” he says. “Many of the teachers spend their own money to build up their classroom libraries.” Typically students are allowed to pick 3-4 books during the Book-a-Palooza and George enjoys watching the excitement of the children as they scan the tables laden with books to find their favorite titles. “The excited looks on their faces when they realized that they get to keep the books forever as their own is wonderful. That’s just an incredible feeling!”

The December event was the first book giveaway of this school year and George is hopeful that there will be two more similar events this year - one around the time of Spring Break and another at the end of the school year. Of the books made available to students, about 70% are purchased, either as brand new books or used books in like-new condition. Donations of used books – either children’s or adult’s – are gladly accepted. Money from the purchases comes from Park Road’s mission budget as well as a contribution each year of approximately $1000 by Myers Park United Methodist Church. George uses the funds to purchase books that are the appropriate reading level and that he knows will be topics of particular interest to the children. After seven years, he has developed a keen understanding of what the children will enjoy - and it shows in their enthusiasm for the giveaway.

Although retired, George has given an incredible amount of his “free time” to make sure the program is successful. He and his volunteers spend many hours each year collecting, sorting, packing, and setting up for the book giveaways. On top of that, George is continually looking for books to purchase that are a good price and will be appealing to the students. The average cost of a book is about $2.

Anyone who knows George knows his passion and enthusiasm for promoting improved literacy in public schools. He is rewarded for his efforts by the knowledge that he is helping the children. “I really enjoy interacting with the kids,” he explains. “I feel like I am making a difference in the lives of kids that don’t have all the advantages that I had, or my children had, or my granddaughter has.”

Helping children who don’t have a lot of advantages is also an important way for George Miles to live out his faith. “Park Road emphasizes that our faith is not just believing, it is doing. Jesus met people at their needs. Where they hurt. These kids have had no choice in their life circumstances and we have to try to share and give back where they have needs.”

Seven years into the program, George Miles shows no signs of slowing down. The December giveaway is over but he is already hard at work getting ready for the Spring event at Marie G. Davis. And, thanks to his hard work, a lot of children will have a better possibility of success in the future. “It has a chance to help kids move out of generational poverty. Books have the chance of moving the needle in these kids' lives.”

Images from Book Drives Through the Years