First Person: A Promise is a Promise

We have such incredible donors and volunteers that help make Spread the Word Nevada a powerful force in the community.

One of our remarkable donors is Maureen (Mo) Delaney. Maureen has, for some time, made a $25 donation from each of her bi-weekly paychecks. Recently, Maureen lost her job, another casualty of an unpredictable economy. But that didn't stop Maureen! She continues to make donations every two weeks, despite her challenging employment situation.

We decided to ask Maureen some questions to get to the bottom of her involvement with Spread the Word Nevada, as well as her unflagging commitment to fighting illiteracy in our community.

Spread the Word Nevada: What does donating to Spread the Word Nevada mean to you?

Maureen: Perhaps donating to Spread the Word Nevada is selfish on my part. All of the children in this program are our future. I would be so happy to see our future generation of leaders know how to read, know the joys of reading and know that reading can open their minds to the wonder of our glorious world. With books they can travel to Whoville in the morning and be with Alice in Wonderland at night. As they get older, they will discover what it felt like to land on the moon, and how the death of a president named Kennedy changed an entire generation. Their world opens wide, the possibilities are endless. When a child is introduced to possibilities, all dreams become achievable.

I cannot imagine my life without books. Books were, and still are, a very important part of my life. There is nothing like the feel of a book in your hands. Not just any book, "your book." Your book does not have to be returned to the library. It stays with you for as long as you like. You can write your name on the inside cover. You can turn down the corner of the pages, or mark a section that speaks to you. I have noticed that, in the letters from the children, they frequently say they shared their book with their brother or sister or they read their book to their siblings. One book touches many!

STWN: Do you mind if we share some of the challenges you're currently facing with our supporters? What are the challenges?

Maureen: I was recently laid off from my job. I work in accounting, and for all of my career, accounting/bookkeeping has been almost "recession-proof." I have always worked, and if a job was ending, I would have an opportunity to obtain another position before I left the old one. That is not the case in this economy. I am not old, but at 57, I am not young, either. I have no doubt I will be lead to where I need to be, it will just take a little longer than I anticipated. I don't drive, so another challenge is finding a job on "my" side of town! However, I will find one of those "possibilities," just as the children will!

STWN: What made you decide to continue your contributions, even though you're in the midst of some financial challenges?

Maureen: When I made a commitment to donate a set amount every payday, I not only made a commitment to the children, but to myself as well. The payday may have gone away, but the commitment, the promise, has not. The promise defines me, not the job. If the job were to define me and my values, then I would be nothing when the job is no longer there.

Perhaps it's a matter of faith. Do I only have faith when times are good, or do I have faith when I have to dig a little deeper to help others? We say the children are "at-risk," I say the children are on life's path, and there are many crossroads. How wonderful it would be if the children found the path to Whoville, and helped a nasty Grinch whose heart is "two sizes too small" grow his heart "three sizes larger"!

STWN: How were you introduced to Spread the Word Nevada?

Maureen: I cannot remember how I discovered Spread the Word Nevada. It might have been an article in the Review-Journal. [Spread the Word Nevada Executive Director] Lisa Habighorst asked me this question once, and I told her, "My angels led me to you and introduced us."

STWN: What are the most appealing aspects of our programs?

Maureen: I cannot tell you the joy I feel when I see the smiles of the children as they pick out their books. Their eyes are alive and full of life. I am also so very impressed by the many volunteers that lend their time, talent and treasure. Senior volunteers in Boulder City cleaned their 200,000th book recently, so they are over 200,000 books that have been donated and cleaned just at their center. However, the most appealing aspect of Spread the Word Nevada is sending children home with their very own books. There is nothing more wonderful than owning a book, or two, or 12!

STWN: Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Maureen: You don't have to write a big check to make a difference. I would not have been able to do that. But a little bit each week, or each payday, really adds up. You don't seem to notice it as much if you make small, regular donations and make them a part of your budget. The important thing is to make the commitment, make the promise to yourself and to the kids. It's really, really hard to go back on a promise!

Maureen is just one, amazing supporter of our mission, whose dedication to helping children is inspirational! Join in the effort to make a difference, one book at a time, and thank you, Maureen!

Make a difference in the life of a child. Contact us to become involved! Download our Volunteer Interest form here.