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DODGE CITY —
David Grayson bustled around his garage Friday afternoon, assembling a bookcase. Two completed bookcases stood behind him, waiting to be filled with children's books.
Grayson averages five or six bookcases a day, and he had finished three as of Friday afternoon. He was midway through his fourth but wasn't sure whether he would have time for two more.
For the past four years, Grayson has spearheaded the Dodge City Bookcase Project, which promotes childhood literary. Participating children receive wooden bookcases with their name on a plaque, plus a starter set of books and a certificate with the sponsor's name. Each sponsor receives a certificate with the child's name.
Grayson got the idea from syndicated columnist Jim Davidson, who frequently writes about his "A Bookcase for Every Child" project in Conway, Ark.
Grayson read Davidson's column about "A Bookcase for Every Child" in 2006, and he hoped it would inspire someone to launch a local bookcase project. But a year went by, and no one seemed interested.
Then in 2007, Grayson read another column about "A Bookcase for Every Child." This time, he decided to follow Davidson's lead — but in his own fashion.
"We're not associated with him because we don't do it his way," Grayson said. "But I liked the essence of his idea, which is to give a bookcase along with a starter set of books to children that need help with reading."
Promoting literacy
When Grayson started his project, he ordered a set of specifications from "A Bookcase for Every Child" as a model for his bookcases. But he ended up modifying those specifications to suit his own project.
Grayson built 15 bookcases his first year, then ramped the number up to 30 his second year. He assembled 50 last year and hopes to build 65 this year — and he's already finished 45.
Grayson said students in Dodge City High School's carpentry class, local firefighters and other volunteers help him assemble the bookcases.
"I get a lot of help out of those people," he said. "It's always nice to have help."
Once the bookcases are finished, Grayson starts filling them with books.
Area schools give Grayson a list of students who would benefit from the project, and he tries to find books to fill their needs. This year, he is gathering books for preschoolers through seventh-graders.
"The only people we don't give bookcases to is the high school," he said. "Because I figure if they don't know how to read by then, we're all in trouble."
Grayson strives to fill each bookcase with 20 to 30 books, and he relies on book drives for most of his supply. People can help by donating new or gently used books, and financial contributions to cover the cost of materials are always welcome.
Grayson is still seeking books for this year's bookcase giveaway, set for noon Nov. 12 at Village Square Mall. All books are due to Grayson by Nov. 11.
Those who don't have any spare books can still lend a hand. People with carpentry skills can help assemble the bookcases, and others can pitch in by putting the finishing touches on each case.
Grayson said one of his volunteers was a man named Walt Redburn, who helped with the carpentry the first year. Redburn told Grayson he could only help for one year, and Grayson said that was fine.
Then Grayson put his helper's name on a bookcase, and Redburn gave it to a student.
"This little girl reached around, put her arms around his legs and gave him a big old hug and said, 'Oh, thank you, thank you,'" Grayson said. "And he looked around back at me, and he said, 'OK, I'll do it again.'"
Reach Eric Swanson at (620) 408-9917 or email him at eric.swanson@dodgeglobe.com.
David Grayson bustled around his garage Friday afternoon, assembling a bookcase. Two completed bookcases stood behind him, waiting to be filled with children's books.
Grayson averages five or six bookcases a day, and he had finished three as of Friday afternoon. He was midway through his fourth but wasn't sure whether he would have time for two more.
For the past four years, Grayson has spearheaded the Dodge City Bookcase Project, which promotes childhood literary. Participating children receive wooden bookcases with their name on a plaque, plus a starter set of books and a certificate with the sponsor's name. Each sponsor receives a certificate with the child's name.
Grayson got the idea from syndicated columnist Jim Davidson, who frequently writes about his "A Bookcase for Every Child" project in Conway, Ark.
Grayson read Davidson's column about "A Bookcase for Every Child" in 2006, and he hoped it would inspire someone to launch a local bookcase project. But a year went by, and no one seemed interested.
Then in 2007, Grayson read another column about "A Bookcase for Every Child." This time, he decided to follow Davidson's lead — but in his own fashion.
"We're not associated with him because we don't do it his way," Grayson said. "But I liked the essence of his idea, which is to give a bookcase along with a starter set of books to children that need help with reading."
Promoting literacy
When Grayson started his project, he ordered a set of specifications from "A Bookcase for Every Child" as a model for his bookcases. But he ended up modifying those specifications to suit his own project.
Grayson built 15 bookcases his first year, then ramped the number up to 30 his second year. He assembled 50 last year and hopes to build 65 this year — and he's already finished 45.
Grayson said students in Dodge City High School's carpentry class, local firefighters and other volunteers help him assemble the bookcases.
"I get a lot of help out of those people," he said. "It's always nice to have help."
Once the bookcases are finished, Grayson starts filling them with books.
Area schools give Grayson a list of students who would benefit from the project, and he tries to find books to fill their needs. This year, he is gathering books for preschoolers through seventh-graders.
"The only people we don't give bookcases to is the high school," he said. "Because I figure if they don't know how to read by then, we're all in trouble."
Grayson strives to fill each bookcase with 20 to 30 books, and he relies on book drives for most of his supply. People can help by donating new or gently used books, and financial contributions to cover the cost of materials are always welcome.
Grayson is still seeking books for this year's bookcase giveaway, set for noon Nov. 12 at Village Square Mall. All books are due to Grayson by Nov. 11.
Those who don't have any spare books can still lend a hand. People with carpentry skills can help assemble the bookcases, and others can pitch in by putting the finishing touches on each case.
Grayson said one of his volunteers was a man named Walt Redburn, who helped with the carpentry the first year. Redburn told Grayson he could only help for one year, and Grayson said that was fine.
Then Grayson put his helper's name on a bookcase, and Redburn gave it to a student.
"This little girl reached around, put her arms around his legs and gave him a big old hug and said, 'Oh, thank you, thank you,'" Grayson said. "And he looked around back at me, and he said, 'OK, I'll do it again.'"
Reach Eric Swanson at (620) 408-9917 or email him at eric.swanson@dodgeglobe.com.
