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Books 4 Buddies Hometown Salute Includes Olympian Erik
Kynard, Jr.
By Tricia Hall
Sojourner’s Truth Reporter
Toledo’s Books 4 Buddies organized a fundraiser, November 1,
at Toledo Lucas County Public Library that featured Olympian
Erik Kynard Jr.
The festivities opened with refreshments and a silent
auction at the downtown Library Main Branch and continued
with a welcome and introduction of dignitaries by Christine
Smallman, PhD, The Blade’s Newspaper in Education Program.
“Thank you, to each of you for attending today, supporting
this cause and to each individual associated with Books 4
Buddies for your service,” said Smallman.
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Ben Cathey of Channel 13 ABC News served as master of
ceremonies. The program continued with the history and
accomplishments of Books 4 Buddies founder Toure’ McCord and
words of encouragement by Honorary Chairman Michael Bell.
“We need to thank these ambassadors for their willingness to
bring awareness and books to our community,” said Bell. “We
also need to thank teachers for what they do; everything in
life is linked to reading.”
Special guest, Erik Kynard Jr, is a two-time United States
of America Olympian for track and field. He earned a silver
medal in 2012 and tied for sixth in 2016. The Toledo native
first excelled at Start High School and reached the Ohio
High School Division I state tournament and also tied for
fourth place with the jump. He later transferred to Rogers
High School and earned first place title at the Division I
state championships, and qualified for the Olympic team
trials in 2008.
“Reading is important and one of the reasons I’m here today.
People see me as a hero, but literacy is important,” said
Kynard.
Books 4 Buddies is a campaign that encourages literacy and
provides leisure reading materials, free of charge, to
disadvantaged youth, especially boys, in northwest Ohio.
The 2016 ambassadors are: Toure’ McCord, Andres Arce, Armand
Acre, Donavan Bridges, Parker Chatman, Keshawn Corggens,
Robert Derden, Johnathan Dotsey, Jacob Heizelman, Rory
Hetzelman, Andrew Hoppenjans, Joey Hoppenjans, Jason
Johnson, Bryant Koback, Chevan Lyle, Keith Nelson, Nathan
Podolsky, Jelani Pratt, Cuffen Pullen, Tyson Robinson,
Matthew Rothchild, Nathaniel Storman, Paul Thomas, and
Jordan Topoleski;
The ambassador mentors are: Christopher Smith, Dennis
Hopson, Robert Mendenhall, Bill Goings, Richard Jackson,
Andre’ Page, Tom Martin, Sheriff John Tharp and Mel Honig.
The board of directors are : Laneta Goings, Tom Martin,
Andre’ Page, Susan Gibney, Ben Cathey, Laura Hart, Mel Honig,
Dennis Hopson, Lesa James, Robert Mendenhall, Clyde Scoles,
Christine Smallman, Christopher Smith, John Tharp and Gina
Thompson.
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