Adopt A Book Has Given These Teens Passion

How time has flown!  It was in December of 2011 when Hannah and Alexander (Alex) Laman – with help from their mom, Angela – were eight-year-olds inspired to share their love of reading with children who were less fortunate. They began collecting books from neighbors, community groups, classmates, and family and next thing I learned Adopt A Book, Inc. was registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Now those young kids are teenagers and their organization continues to grow. As of April, 2019, Adopt A Book has collected and donated close to 160,000 books. Schools, shelters, and health clinics/hospitals such as Hamilton County HeadStart programs and Healthsource of Ohio health clinic are among some of our most common recipients. Many of the kids who get those books have never been to a library, don’t have access to a library, or have never owned a book of their own.

I thought it’s be a great time to reach out to the Lehman’s to get an update on their work and their passion.

Lisa: You were in the 3rd grade when you began Adopt-A-Book. Where did the idea and inspiration come from?

(Hannah) – Alex and I had heard of schools who were less fortunate and didn’t have access to books or libraries. We had grown up reading and going to the library so we wanted to help other kids share our love of reading.

Lisa: What motivates you to keep working at it, as you are both now teenagers?

(Alex) – We are motivated by the idea that even the smallest thing can make a difference, and we want to continue spreading our love of literacy and learning any way that we can.

Lisa: What has Adopt A Book taught you about philanthropy and giving back?

(Hannah) – It has taught me that giving back is something that you’re never too old to do, and no matter what you’re doing you are still making a difference. It has humbled me as a person and made me much more grateful for all that I have.

Lisa: Do you now see yourself being a lifelong philanthropist? What does that mean to you?

(Alex) – Yes, I don’t think I will ever want to stop giving back to my community. That means putting others before myself, and doing anything that I can to help the community. Sharing the gift of literacy is such an important thing to do, and there will always be a new generation of kids to give it to.

Lisa: What is your favorite book?

(Hannah) – Alex and I have loved to read for almost our entire lives. I am very interested in realistic fiction and horror novels while Alex enjoys nonfiction and historical fiction.

Lisa: Are you involved with any other extracurricular activities at school? And how do you manage your time?

(Angela) – Hannah is a part of the drum line and percussion section in concert band, and she is also involved in student council. Alex runs cross country in the fall, is a part of the academic team in the winter, and is involved in the science bowl and science olympiad teams.