The International WeLoveU Foundation donated 463 books to the John Hopkins Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL, on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. The month-long book drive is part of WeLoveU’s educational initiative to help students reach their full potential and close the quality education gap. With help from volunteers from Orlando, Miami, and Tampa, volunteers hand-delivered books to children and held a book fair in the activity center.

Bringing Excitement and Joy

The volunteers neatly set up books from multiple genres and age groups. The children were overjoyed to see the new books as they stood on their tiptoes to look at them. Their faces lit up with excitement. The children asked their parents to leave their rooms and go to the activity center where the books were. Volunteers were moved by the children’s reactions, and they’re looking forward to volunteering again.

Inspiring the Hospital Staff

The hospital staff was thankful for the WeLoveU volunteers who put the book drive together. Staff members were inspired and moved by the event. Dara, a child life specialist at Johns Hopkins, said, “We try to promote normalization because they’re never at home or school, and this event is great for the kids because it’s like a book fair at the hospital. This was amazing, and everyone commented on how great the selection of books was!”

WeLoveU looks forward to working with the Johns Hopkins staff again for future events.

Thankful Parents

The parents were touched by the volunteers who personally visited and read books to the pediatric patients in the oncology and hematology area. Especially when volunteers cheered them on with “We love you!” The parents continuously shared messages of thanks with the volunteers throughout the event. WeLoveU aims to continue spreading joy and hope through future book drives and educational initiatives.