Can a 9-year- old change the world?
You bet they can!
When Chase DeLarios started 1st grade, he was below the average reading level.
He had never enjoyed school and struggling through one page of “The Day the Crayons Quit” would inevitably end in a frustrated, “I don’t know!”
But from the first day he walked into Ms. Butler’s class, something happened. With her help, it finally clicked.
Suddenly, Chase was reading everything. The Chick-fil-A specials sign, the YouTube Kids captions, even stories for his little sister.
With his newfound skill, an angry and frustrated boy became a shining star.
And everyone could see it.
As Chase’s imagination glowed brighter, so did his generosity and kindness. He became a friend to all, sitting with kids who didn’t know anyone on the playground, making jokes to make the class laugh. His confidence and love were contagious.
Reading has the power to transform a child’s life.
Time and again, when a love of reading sparks in a child, it blazes into curiosity, imagination, and their own brilliant personality.
Our dream, in memory of Chase, is for kids who don’t have access to books to have a chance to change the world like he did.
