Kiwanis of Acadiana has installed their third Little Library at the Gator Laundromat in Upper Lafayette. Michelle Luquette, pictured above at right, is a Kiwanian who has been a driving force behind these Libraries. She notes that the installations have been very well received. “When we go in with books, everyone’s faces light up, even the older gentlemen.”
She continues, “The mission of the Kiwanis of Acadiana is to serve children in our community. Our goal is to get books in children’s hands, to stop generational poverty and to get children excited and books. In the last two months we have placed perhaps 250 books in laundromats, as well as in Mouton’s Barber Shop. We are looking for four more locations.”
Bruce Sawvell, also active in this effort, weighed in with his thoughts. “I am in Kiwanis because I feel strongly that each and every one of us has an obligation to work together to make our world a little better. Kiwanis offers me that opportunity.”
He continues, “Children are our future. If we do nothing, they become nothing. Through volunteering to help children, I feel we offer them hope, encouragement and insight into what is possible. Reading opens the world to the reader. Without the ability to read, one’s life is filled with difficulties and challenges. Books teach, arouse curiosity and maybe (and hopefully), cause the reader to develop and pursue with passion the process of learning. Little Libraries bring books and their wonders to anyone willing to open the door.”
Also pictured above are Kiwanian Rusty Ruckstuhl and Kiwanis of Acadiana President Ashley Hebert.
Blake, the owner of Gator Laundry said, “When Kiwanis approached me, I thought it was a good idea. Lots of kids come through the laundromat and sit on a phone or an iPad. We been pushing our own kids to read books, and to decrease the electronics time. So I thought it was a good idea to put in books for the kids.”
Gator Laundry is located at at 1702 E Simcoe Street; the phone number is 337 362 2727.
Books for the Little Libraries are donated by the Acadiana Educational Endowment through their ReadingWithKids.org program.