The 4th annual Books 4 Buddies launch was a tremendous success. It was a FREE fun-filled afternoon at Franklin Park Mall and Superheroes read to kids. The community was invited to support Books 4 Buddies by dropping of new and gently used books at the Blade truck.
**(14 out of 25) AMBASSADORS attended:
Toure McCord, Armond Arce, Dominic Barnes, Justin Barnes, Keshawn Corggens, Robert Derden, David Hart, Jason Johnson, Myles Johnson, Zane Kruszynski, C.J. Patton, Nathan Podolsky, Andrew Urrutia, Rudy Vasquez.
Kudos to community leaders who read to the kids:
- Ben Cathey, abc13 reporter was the MC and a Superhero (dressed as a weatherman)
- The Honorable Michael P. Sheehy, Ohio House of Representatives, District 46 and his wife.
- Christopher Smith, former Blade employee, representing TLPL’s Summer Reading Challenge, dressed as: CAPTAIN I WILL READ.
- Evan Fritt, native Toledoan, a member of National Society of High School (St. Francis) Scholars, and a body-builder; who has starred on the Florida based realty show, “Kart Life on Tru TV. He has a soon-to-be-released comic book series, “The Adventure of EJ rocket” based on his fictional alter ego, an anti-bully superhero who inspires kids to eat healthy and live their dreams without fear.
- Dennis Scott, retired NBA player/all-time men’s career points record holder as a former basketball player for OSU. He is currently a high school coach.
- Dr. Romulus Durant, TPS superintendent dressed as ‘Cat In The Hat.’
- Nigel Hayes, U of Wisc. Basketball player. Nigel, who averaged 12.4 points per game, played an integral role with the U of Wisc. Basketball team as it captured the Bit Ten Title and advanced to the NCAA National Championship game against Duke in Indy. Along the way, Nigel gained national attention for this vocabulary prowess during the NCAA media sessions. He is a Whitmer graduate.
- The Honorable Paula Hicks-Hudson, Mayor, City of Toledo
- Jean Holden and singers
