Andy Curtiss likes to say he’s married to a “book nerd.”
His wife, Katie, loves to read and wants to start her own Little Free Library. So, last winter, the Monroe Township couple began gathering books for all ages. They just started the organization Reaching for Revival, which focuses on youth books.
“‘Revival’ is second chance. Kids don’t really have a choice (about their situation). They are reaching for a second chance,” Andy Curtiss said.
Andy and Katie haven’t put up their library yet, but they are stocking other Little Free Libraries across the county. Through Reaching for Revival, they also are providing books to local kids who receive beds from the Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed ministry. Run by Tim Taylor and aided by local volunteers, Monroe’s program builds beds for community children who don’t have them.
“Sleep in Heavenly Peace seemed like a perfect fit. I was already out and about collecting books for free libraries. It was a good idea to merge the two,” said Curtiss, 34. “A lot of these kids are sleeping on air mattresses. With school just starting, they need good beds and good sleep. We donated 27 books for 27 beds that were delivered. This year alone (with the ministry and Little Free Libraries), we’ve donated 300 books. We are hoping to start a new children’s book drive so we can donate some new books to a children’s hospital around Christmas.”
All the books are donated by local residents and Monroe County Intermediate School District.
“We have an ambundence of books. Most are in our house, in our attached sunroom,” Curtiss said.
Books that are more well-used go to Little Free Libraries, like those at Custer II Elementary School, Monroe Township Fire Department, Monroe County Museum and Monroe Middle School.
“The library at Custer was super empty. We filled that. Any place my wife notices, we try to fill,” Curtiss said. “We take a bunch of books anytime we go somewhere.”
New and newer books go to Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed recipients. Andy and Katie try to find the perfect book for each child. They’ve got picture and chapter books. Characters like Lilo & Stitch, Minions, Spider-Man and princesses are popular.
“It’s stuff all the kids like. We do our best to match the child’s interest with a book. They are super excited about it. It feels like it’s personalized to them,” Curtiss said. “Books get kids’ minds thinking. There are educational books as well, if that’s their interest. We have donated books about kids wanting to be doctors and scientists. It gets their imagination kicking in gear. It makes a big difference.”
Reaching for Revival was inspired by the couple’s children: Carson, 13; Brantley, 4, and Paisley, 2 1/2.
“We have two toddlers now. That’s a big part of why we started. They like books and always go to library programs and take out books. They watch and read books every single night before they go to bed. That’s a lot of our inspiration,” Curtiss said.
All Reaching for Revival’s books bear the organization’s original logo.
“Two to three days before bed delivery, my wife sits down and adds an embossed sticker. It’s our trademark,” Curtiss said.
Curtiss created the logo. It reminds him of his skateboarding days.
“It resembles one of the symbols on a skateboard I liked. I was a big skateboarder in Lincoln Park and was locally sponsored,” Curtiss said.
Later, he moved to Erie. He went to Mason High School for three years and graduated from Huron High School in New Boston. His wife is originally from Chelsea.
Curtiss said he enjoys helping others. He earned his Eagle Scout ranking through Boy Scout Troop 1381 of Lincoln Park.
For his Eagle project, he held a clothing drive.
“Donations filled a whole semi-truck,” Curtiss said.
For a few years he held a Thanksgiving meal drive.
“People donated fixings for meals for people needing a dinner. The first year, we had 30 turkeys. We’d buy corn or green beans to go with it and drop them off,” Curtiss said. “I’m a people person. It’s just what I do. I hit the ground running.”
Help Reaching for Revival
Reaching for Revival is accepting new and used books for children and teens.
Donations can be brought to two upcoming Sleep in Heavenly Peace events:
Curtiss also will pick up books.
“I travel to go pick them up. I’ve gone to Sterling State Park and Detroit Beach. I’ve gone as far as outside of Dundee, Milan, Downriver, Allen Park. I frequently travel those areas. I’ve gotten some pretty decent books,” he said.
Contact Curtiss at 734-731-4140 or thedetroitreader@gmail.com or message him on Reaching for Revival’s Facebook page.
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Andy and Katie Curtiss are on a mission to bring books to Monroe County kids
Reporting by Suzanne Nolan Wisler, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
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