By Staff
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Stephen Shafer loves to read.
In this school year alone, the 5-year-old – that's right, 5-year-old – has read more books than many people have read in a lifetime.
"One hundred and 29," Stephen proudly says.
Stephen knows of many things: reading, hard work, saving his allowance money and helping others.
He combined all of these aspects to make a very generous donation to Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center's Reach Out and Read (ROR) program.
On Dec. 17, accompanied by his mom, Karen, and 2-year-old brother, Matthew, little Stephen gave $75 of his allowance he saved to SJRMC's Family Medicine Center in South Bend so other children can enjoy reading books acquired at the health center during routine visits.
"All the help we can get, we appreciate," said Dr. Julia Fashner, associate director of SJRMC's Family Medicine Residency Program and the hospital's ROR coordinator.
"We've had donations from our employees and associates, but when a 5-year-old is going to give you money to help other kids get books, it really warms your heart. Every time we give out a book, we will remember Stephen."
ROR is a national non-profit organization that promotes early literacy by bringing new books and advice about the importance of reading aloud into the pediatric exam room.
Doctors and nurses give new books to children at each well child visit from six months to five years, and accompany these books with developmentally appropriate advice to parents about reading aloud with their child, with a special focus on children growing up in poverty.
SJRMC's Family Medicine Center has been incorporated with ROR since 2002, providing more than 5,200 free books to children and their families.
Because of Stephen's generosity, even more families will benefit from ROR.
"Stephen loves to read, so he was excited about helping other kids have books," said Karen Shafer.
And this is not the first year this young philanthropist has shared the fruits of his labor with others who are less fortunate, as last year Stephen donated part of his saved allowance to SJRMC's Pediatric Unit.
"I saved my allowance for taking out the trash, watching my brother and doing my homework," Stephen said. "So this year, I wanted everyone to have books."
For more information on the ROR Program, visit www.reachoutandread.org.