Making a positive difference

The recent story on Fallbrook A Leer featured in the Village News compels me to write this letter to the editor.

Nine years ago, a small group of teachers and parents got together and decided to organize an event that would focus on family literacy and community service - Fallbrook A Leer/Reading Family Literacy Day. We had grand ideas, but no money. We scrounged for donated books for children and received a couple hundred books but felt we needed to buy new books as well. My husband, Nick, and I decided this would be our charitable giving for the year. He agreed to ask some of our friends to give as well. We got some donations.

However, there was one person who saw the possibilities back then and responded accordingly. Dr. Tom Aspel, a long-time Fallbrook orthodontist now retired, stepped up to the plate, put his faith in us and placed his check on the table, which made possible our first Fallbrook A Leer/Reading event. Fallbrook A Leer/Reading has since become a point of commitment and service for many people in Fallbrook and beyond. Some achievements with approximate numbers: hundreds of stories read to 1,300 children; 6,000 books given away; 900 parents participated in workshops and received 850 helpful books; 370 sixth - twelfth grade students and 200 adults have volunteered, giving 4,000 hours of service. We say ‘thank you’ Dr. Aspel. Asi se puede! (Yes, we can!)

Leticia Maldonado/Stamos