Events
Grill & Chill: Ignite Literacy in a Raffle for Rural Schools
Get ready to fire up your holiday season with our exclusive Grill & Chill Raffle! This holiday season, we invite you to join our Grill & Chill Raffle, where you have the chance to win a stunning grill worth $1,200. $15 for one entry or TRIPLE your chances for just $45. You could bring home this centerpiece for your holiday gatherings, all while supporting a meaningful cause. Each ticket purchased helps us move our mission forward to establish libraries in rural primary schools, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to discover the magic of reading. We are approaching 10,000 libraries created of our short term of 20,000 libraries. We have many books still to fund, ship, and deliver! With only 500 total entries available and delivery within 1-2 hours from Bluffton, SC, this is a wonderful chance to make a difference and possibly surprise a loved one with a gift that keeps on giving. (Contact books@libraries4kids.org for delivery options if you live outside this range and would like to participate in the raffle.) Let’s come together to celebrate community, connection, and literacy this holiday season! Imagine the laughter of friends and family gathered around a sizzling grill, the aroma of delicious food filling the air as you create unforgettable memories, all while knowing your contributions are changing our world one book at a time.
✨ A Night Under the African Stars ✨
In September 2018, I, Roy Austin embarked on a transformative five-week safari across several captivating countries in East Africa, driven by a deep yearning to witness the majestic wildlife in their natural habitat before it was too late. Initially, the itinerary's emphasis on cultural experiences left me feeling uneasy. Truthfully, I was skeptical about visiting homes, schools, villages, and the communities of bushmen. My heart was set on the animals, and if enduring these cultural encounters was the price to pay, so be it.
The animals, indeed, were nothing short of magnificent. We were graced by the presence of over 100 lions, vast herds of elephants, and the powerful cape buffalo. We marveled at the beauty of zebras, wildebeests, warthogs, rhinos, hippos, giraffes, baboons, an array of antelopes, and a dazzling variety of birds that danced through the sky. The true highlights of my journey were the elusive leopard and the swift cheetah, each encounter leaving an indelible mark on my heart.
Yet, in a twist I never anticipated, my encounters with the resilient and vibrant people of Africa became some of the most cherished moments of my trip. Visiting their homes, bustling markets, sacred churches, and spirited schools revealed a warmth, intelligence, creativity, and resourcefulness that truly inspired me. Their happiness was infectious, and I found myself captivated by their stories and spirit.
One particularly poignant visit was to the Amboseli Primary and Secondary School nestled in Amboseli National Park, Kenya. In this rural landscape, the government does not construct school buildings; instead, the duty falls on communities to either build them or raise the necessary funds. This school stands adjacent to a Maasai tribe that has courageously transformed their way of life to prioritize education for their children. Traditionally nomadic herders, the Maasai now establish semi-permanent settlements near the school, a testament to their unwavering commitment to education.
This shift, however, comes with challenges. The warriors now take their herds further afield in search of grazing land, sometimes for weeks at a time, exposing them to greater risks from predators. Yet, the importance of education reigns supreme in their hearts, compelling them to adapt.
When we inquired about a library at the school, the teacher’s response was filled with a mixture of hope and longing. With a gleam in her eye and a radiant smile, she simply replied, “No, but we’d LOVE ONE!” It was in that moment that I realized the power of dreams and the relentless pursuit of knowledge, even in the face of adversity.
As we launch our campaign, we can proudly say we have established 8,576 libraries in rural primary schools, a container is due to arrive early September in Kenya, and the container is soon to be on the water with over 50,000 books inside! Without your support, this impact would not be so big!! We can’t wait to update you as these containers get delivered and see you at our 4th annual charity fundraiser!
Our promise to our donors, that 100% of your donation fund our program (unless you state otherwise) is alive and well AND….. Libraries for Kids, Int’l is working hard to make an even bigger impact in 2025!
Please join us at our fundraiser as we take you to Africa to show you a book through the eye’s of a child.
Free Author Monthly Events sponsored by Libraries for Kids, International
Location: The Roasting Room, 1297 May River Rd, Bluffton, SC (2nd floor above Corner Perk)
Time: 10:30-11:30 AM, followed by an optional Dutch Treat lunch with the author
The talks are sponsored by Libraries for Kids, International, and are free, but there is a suggested donation of $5 to the sponsor. Books will be available for sale and signing.
Reservations are suggested but not required. Call or text Tamela Maxim at 843-683-4100 to reserve a spot or with any questions.
Upcoming Dates:
Oct 21st MARY MARTHA B. BOONE, MD
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Mary Martha B. Boone is a distinguished urologist and author. She is one of the first 100 women to be board-certified in urology. After 23 years of education, she practiced academic urology for five years and private practice for twenty-four years, earning the title of TOP DOC in urology in Atlanta for over a decade, Her first novel, The Big Free is a medical humor and drama fiction based on her experiences at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. Her second book, The Unfettered Urologist, is a nonfiction work that shares valuable insights she couldn't cover during short office visits. A sequel to her first novel, titled, Mother Charity, was released this year.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
As Mother Charity begins, Dr. Elizabeth Roberts is once again facing the handsome cardiac surgeon, Dr. White—her nemesis. Dr. Roberts has completed her first six months as a surgical intern at the Charity Hospital in New Orleans and is awaiting her next assignment. She’s smart and hardworking but naïve and insecure. As she journeys through her rotations, Dr. Roberts struggles to break away from family pressures and survive the bone-crushing intensity of trauma surgery at the busiest center in America. Will she buckle under the stress of being one of the first women in her field? Or will she find her stride and revel in the joy of surgery? Will she survive Dr. White’s harsh scrutiny or retreat to the comfort of home in the South Carolina Lowcountry? Get ready for another unforgettable ride!
Martha B. Boone, M.D. was a surgery resident and urology resident at Tulane and trained at Charity Hospital in New Orleans from 1985-1991. She is among the first one hundred women board-certified in Urology in the United States. She retired from the practice of urology after 35 years to travel and write. She was challenged by her mentor, Dr. Norman McSwain to memorialize the great Charity Hospital in her novels. Mother Charity is her third book and the sequel to The Big Free. She is also the author of the nonfiction book The Unfettered Urologist.
November 18 ESTELLE FORD-WILLIAMSON. Ford-Williamson’s award-winning new novel, Rising Fawn: Financial shocks, marriage quakes - escape to the mountains
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Clare Connor enjoys personal and financial success by teaching people how to be their best selves – she’s a professional life coach in a major southern city. But her life starts to come undone when she experiences first one, then another major financial shock. Her husband has already been acting suspicious. Does he have a woman on the side? The financial fraud unravels the marriage, and he tells her to leave. Clare is thrown on her own devices and gets little help from a divorce lawyer. With the promise of work nearby, she flees to a remote area of the state to get her life together. The earthquakes that forced up the mountains where she now lives, reflect the seismic shocks in her own life. Without the financial security she had, Clare struggles with who she is and how she will make a comeback. Fate throws her together with some unlikely allies, some of whom are tied to Irish and Italian immigrants in these strange lands. She taps into the power of the area’s natural wonders, what is left of her long-forgotten faith, and the tatters of her family’s past to face a future that is forever changed.
December 2 ANNELORE HARRELL will discuss her new book, Et Cetera Y’all.
Review by Patti Callahan Henry:
“Step into the enchanting world of Annelore Harrell and the coastal Lowcountry I love so dearly. With twenty-four years of remarkable newspaper columns, this collection is a treasure chest of insight, immersive experiences, and wisdom. From past to present, Annelore Harrell brings us on a journey to meet the forgotten heroes, see the locales of her experience, and encounter the allure of southern hospitality. A captivating storyteller with a keen and wise eye, Annelore Harrell’s prose transports us to the soul of the south.”
January 13 ARTHUR V. MARTIN, PH.D. will discuss Jellybeans to a Nobel Prize Nomination
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Arthur V. Martin, Ph.D., is the president of Innovative Scientific Solutions LLC, headquartered in North Miami, FL. He has 40+ years of global expertise managing and mitigating pathogenic bioaerosol contamination in buildings and designing and constructing critically controlled environments, including hospital operating suites, pharmaceutical clean rooms, biosafety laboratories, and high-rise residential buildings.
Dr. Martin’s innovative work has been globally recognized and he is considered one of the world’s foremost experts on technologies to control the spread of disease. He is highly sought after for his expertise in selecting the most efficient and efficacious technology required for specific structures.
He has personally conducted more than 4,000 assessments worldwide for chemical, biological, bacterial, and viral contamination. He pioneered the “Prophylactic Air Management for Pathogen Control” concept and has an extensive list of peer-reviewed awards and publications of his work. He has lectured worldwide on the subjects of Pathogen Control and Indoor Air Quality.
A former ASHRAE member, his projects have received 1st place awards for Existing Health Care and Existing Institutional Buildings. One of his projects was voted the Most Efficient Building in the Nation. He is the environmental consultant to The Faisal Group of Companies in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a member of the W.H.O. Stop TB board, and a member/researcher of the Infectious Diseases International Research Initiative, Ankara, Turkey, and a collaborative researcher with Camarines Norte State University, Daet, Philippines. He is the chief scientist of a Tianjin, China biotechnology company.
He is a past nominee for the W.H.O Kochon Prize for his groundbreaking work with T.B., which has significantly reduced treatment times, allowing more infected people to be treated faster, more efficiently, and less costly.
In 2021, his innovative work with COVID-19, including the development of an organic-based, non-toxic, anti-pathogenic product that can be mass-produced and globally distributed, earned him a Nobel Prize nomination. The product was tested and proven to kill COVID-19 in two (2) minutes or less. Along with the product, Dr. Martin conceptualized, designed, prototyped, patented, and made available a delivery system that will automatically infuse the product into enclosed buildings.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
From Jellybeans to a Nobel Prize Nomination is a chronicle of Dr. Art Martin’s use of his background in biology, chemistry, physics, mechanics, and engineering to develop products and applications to better the health and wellness of people everywhere. In this book, Dr. Martin describes his groundbreaking discoveries, resulting in the creation of an innovative plant-based solution with antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial properties, effective at eliminating over 170 individual pathogens, including the formidable COVID-19 virus. For his work on COVID-19, Dr. Martin received a Nobel Prize nomination, and for his work on Tuberculosis, he was nominated by the World Health Organization for a coveted Kochon prize.
Maritime After Hours
Location: Savannah, GA; find location here: http://www.savannahmaritime.org/calendar.html
When: The first Wednesday of each month, 5:15-7:30 PM
Upcoming Dates:
September 4th Coach’s Corner
October 2nd Savannah Smiles
November 6th Ships of the Sea
December 4th Coach’s Corner for our annual Christmas party oyster roast
World Book Day 2025
Help us get more books into more rural schools.
Weezie Educational Pavilion - Port Royal Sound Foundation
310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie, SC 29909
April 26, 2025, 5:30 – 8:30 PM
Live Music, Food & Live Auction!!
To Do:
14,000 more rural schools in Kenya to deliver books to.
Expand into other countries in East Africa: Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda.
Buy tickets here: