07 Nov 2022 Conway leader and Commissioner of Education recognized
A local leader and the Arkansas Commissioner of Education were honored during the Kiwanis Club of Conway’s 13th annual Bookcase Literacy Banquet on Oct. 20 which was hosted at Bob and Betty Courtway Middle School.
The room was filled with community leaders and project supporters, and the keynote speaker was Commissioner of Education Johnny Key. He spoke about the need for increased literacy throughout the state and expressed appreciation for the Bookcase Project which was founded by Jim Davidson in 2005. Davidson is a syndicated newspaper columnist and author of 10 books.
The Bookcase project provides 50 handmade, wooden bookcases to underprivileged children each year. Each case features a brass plate with the child’s name engraved on it and a starter set of a dozen books. The Project is now overseen by the Kiwanis Club of Conway and is managed by member Richard Plotkin.
Davidson’s concept has been implemented by Kiwanis Clubs in six states, and 2,500 children have received bookcases.
Both Davidson and Key were honored as part of the program, which was emceed by Kiwanis Member Janie Walburn, a 6th-grade literacy teacher at Raymond and Phyllis Simon Middle School.
Music was provided by Fat Soul Band, and a barbecue dinner was provided. The Kiwanis Club welcomes donations for the effort throughout the year. Learn more at Kiwanis of Conway Arkansas | Facebook.
