Debbi has been volunteering with the Maryland Book Bank since 2016 but says that
during Covid, she became more heavily involved, seeking to make a difference in a
chaotic and uncertain time. She comes from a family of longtime volunteers. Her father
and mother imprinted values of giving back to the community from a very young age; “it
was just what was natural to us,” she stated. She finds volunteering very satisfying.
Her day-to-day routine is never static, she says. There are always different tasks to do at
the book bank depending on the organization's needs. Sorting boxes, fine sorting
shelving, going on bookmobile trips, managing volunteer groups that come in, and
delivering books with the Home Library Project are among her responsibilities. As a lead
volunteer, she takes her role seriously, working hard to keep everything in line and
ensuring the book bank is always moving in the right direction.
She discussed some of her adventures on the bookmobile distributing books to kids
around the Baltimore area. On one trip, a child approached another volunteer, grabbed
his leg, and said, “This is the best day ever.” She said that the fact that they can change
the course of these children's lives in such a way that can open doors of opportunity for
them throughout the rest of their lives is inspiring. Seeing those faces, smiling with
excitement to read, is what keeps Debbi going. On another bookmobile trip, a girl had
picked out a space book with vigor. Debbi asked, “Do you like space?” The girl replied, “I
want to be an astronaut.” To which Debbi replied, “You go, girl!” Not only do these books
open doors for the children they reach, but they also inspire them to make change and
be successful.
Debbi is also an avid reader who says that volunteers with the book bank should have
an affinity for books because those are the ones who get the most out of it and continue
to come back to volunteer. She says something that makes the book bank different
from other organizations and volunteering opportunities is that there is no year-long
commitment. One can sign up through the website and only has to make a two-hour
commitment. That goes a long way because you can always go and come back; the
volunteering is flexible. Debbi stated that it's just this simple, “Sign up and show up, and
if you love it, keep coming back.”
When volunteers come in and see all the books, either from their childhood or as
parents and grandparents who remember reading those books to their kids, it sparks
nostalgia. Debbi says that when she hears people buzzing about the books, it makes her
reminiscent of the times she used read those same books to her son. These human
connections are a part of what makes the Maryland Book Bank and its volunteers,
especially Debbi, so special.
