It's never the same old story for Books for Kids

Ted Lindenberg, the chair of the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch's Books for Kids program, apologized to those gathered at the club's March 6 luncheon at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club because he was going to be saying the same word over and over.

"Incredible."

Actually, he only said "incredible" about 10 times. He moved on to "amazing."

No one could blame him as the numbers speak for themselves.

"Eleven years ago, we started with five people," Lindenberg said. "We're close to 200 (volunteers) now ... that's a company."

The first year, Books for Kids distributed 300 free books to schools in the School District of Manatee County. By the end of 2025, Books for Kids will have distributed more than 200,000 free books.

"Incredible."

Photo by Jay Heater

"We are all here to acknowledge the impact you have on the lives of children," Lindenberg said to the volunteers and supporters of the program, along with his fellow Rotarians. "We wanted to give children the tools to learn and grow. None of this would be possible without you — the volunteers, the readers. We thank you so very much."

Gratitude came from different directions.

Volunteer Gina Shulman was a social worker for 40 years who now has taken on the important task of helping elementary children develop their reading skills.

"What we bring to these children is a fire," she told those at the luncheon. "It's a great love for books."

As far as she is concerned, it is one of the most important loves a child should have.

"What is the most important building in the world?" she asks. "The answer always should be the library."

Peter Seidenstricker is a Books for Kids volunteer at Ballard Elementary.

"This is one of my absolute best jobs of my years on the planet," he said.

One of the students at Ballard looked at him while he was reading aloud.

"Now I see pictures in my head," the student said.

"We are doing important work," Seidenstricker said.

After those in attendance ate lunch, kindergarten students from Blanche H. Daughtrey Elementary streamed into the ballroom.

Lindenberg explained that Daughtrey Principal Melissa Mccullough suggested that all of the school's kindergarteners come by the luncheon to thank the Books for Kids supporters. They sang two songs, which led to a standing ovation, and even a few tears from the audience.

Ballard Elementary Principal Rudy Keezer told Lindenberg, a winner of the 2023 C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award for his work with the program, that the Books for Kids name was outdated.

"It should be Heroes for Kids," he said. "You are all heroes. And Ted, you are our superhero."

Photo by Jay Heater

Keezer said every year he asks Lindenberg for more for his students.

"And he continues to deliver," Keezer said.

Oneco Elementary Principal Nicole Williams told those at the luncheon that her school is undergoing quite the renovation this year, and parking has been in short supply. She said she had no idea how the Books for Kids volunteers would get on her campus. And yet, she said they found a way.

"You are all so special to us," she said of the volunteers. "This program has such a positive impact."

Derek Jensen, the deputy superintendent of instructional services, applauded the professionalism of the Books for Kids volunteers along with the "magnitude" of the program.

"The work you do is moving the needles in our schools," he said.

Photo by Jay Heater

He said Books for Kids was one reason that Ballard went from a "D" to a "B" school in the past year.

The crowd erupted in cheers.

The luncheon was sponsored by Willis Smith Construction.