A Path To Hope

When e.E. Charlton-Trujillo saw the image of 10-year-old Xavier Lopez, the first child victim released, Trujillo sank into their office chair and cried. Another mass school shooting – this the worst statistically since Sandy Hook Elementary.

 

A conversation with fellow author and literacy activist G. Neri went from a place of hopelessness to hope when he said, “Anyone can donate money, sign petitions. But only we can do what we do. You need to focus on the kids.”

 

Trujillo began 600 Books of Hope as a grassroots effort to collect and later donate 600 new children’s books to Robb Elementary School students. To give them a physical, tangible place to escape, grieve, or feel whole – even if for a moment’s reprieve.

 

The first book arrived on May 31. Since then, thousands of books from authors, illustrators, teachers, librarians, publishers, booksellers, and people from all walks of life have filled Trujillo’s house and garage, including donations from across America, Australia, Canada, France, and the U.K.

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Thanks to our amazing supporters at Edmentum we were able to partner with The Twig Book Shop in San Antonio, Texas for those who wanted to purchase a book from a local,  bookstore. And we are so grateful to the owner and staff of The Twig Book Shop for creating a #600BooksOfHope display and building a page on their website with a list of books selected by NCO.