Day 262: Holiday Book Buddy Party

A couple weeks ago a friend reached out to me and others to see if we would sign up to be a book buddy to a local elementary school child in Philadelphia. The organization that she is involved with holds a Holiday Book Party each year, where kids from all over the Philadelphia area get to sit and read a book with a buddy (us). I was assigned to the sweetest fifth grade girl. In her letter to me a couple days before the event, she mentioned her favorite book and what she likes to read. As the volunteer, I was required to buy her a book, wrap it, and give it to her at the event. Luckily the book was at the campus bookstore! I don't think she was expecting to get that particular book, because her eyes completely lit up when she opened the package and exclaimed how it was her favorite book ever. For the next hour we took turns reading to each other, and then finished the event with a coloring activity. It was a long commitment, but there were over 100 Penn students who volunteered to help. The kids were so adorable and it made the stress and confusion of the event worth it!