The Bright Lights Book Project continues to gain momentum. I am constantly surprised by this, though I shouldn’t be.

The reason we have such momentum is that others see that this is a good project. The appreciative readers who are book beneficiaries provide affirmation to volunteers, most of whom, upon hearing this, dig their heels in and work harder.

Today was a day in which our momentum made itself apparent to me. Pete and I arrived at the Palmer Salvation Army headquarters well before noon, when we were expected to be there, and got ready to give a presentation to members of Palmer Lions Club.

Shadow on Hrimmi

We brought in differing types of books, which we had in bins (children’s books included) and set them on a table. And we talked for a bit with a woman who came in the door at the same time we did. She did not appear at first as if she wanted to talk. But I engaged her, telling her about the project.

Pete walked in the door and the two recognized each other. She was a former student of his. After chatting a bit, she said she had some books in her car and that we could have them. They turned out to be really nice children’s books.

The Lions Club members then began to trickle in. We partook of a catered lunch and chatted with various pride members, most of whom were wearing yellow vests with badges of various sorts on them. Then I gave a Power Point presentation that Pete had prepared for me. The presentation was well done, so I just pretty much followed the script.

After I finished, I asked if there were any other questions. One fellow asked if we had any national affiliations and I said, “I’m 5”2 and I’m it.” I think that he and the others were impressed with what we’ve done thus far.

The best was yet to come. After the presentation, I talked with Darcy, who led the meeting, and she said that the Lions Club Board will meet soon and talk about providing us with financial support. I explained my latest idea, which was that I am going to seek funding so as to put together a literacy plan, one that I will soon implement. Darcy said that this made sense to her. So I will, in the next few days, write a letter to the Lions, with a funding request.

As I said this, another part of the momentum analogy came to mind. A ball does not roll by itself. Rather, it is given a push, then as it slows down, another push. The ball, of course, in this instance, is the BLBP Project. Writing a letter, then, is, metaphorically speaking, a way of pushing on this ball.

And this afternoon, Pete, Pam, and Robert went to a local thrift store and came back with 15 boxes of books. I immediately began sorting them into three categories, fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books. I put the books in lidless boxes.

Robert at one point said that I’m going to need to write (yet another) memorandum of agreement, this one going to Alaska Family Services who run the thrift store, this as a way of partnering with them.

More push. I do wonder at times how much stamina I have left. Affirmation, this does give me the energy needed to keep going.

Next: 321. 11/22/23: Oh Oh