An Update from
BFK's Executive Director
Friends of Books for Keeps,
​
However and wherever this letter finds you, I hope that your spring is off to a great start. We are thrilled to have just begun our Spring Book Distributions this week and have already distributed books to over 600 kiddos at two of our elementary school partners!
I’m writing today with some bittersweet news -- after 8 years of service, my time at Books for Keeps will be coming to an end early this summer. Serving our community through the mission of Books for Keeps has been the greatest honor of my life thus far. I’ve learned so much along the way from so many wonderfully gifted people. I can confidently say that I’m leaving the organization today a more complete person than when I began this work in 2016 as a volunteer.
​
I owe so much to this organization and the many, many people that have so graciously poured themselves into this work. I would not be the person I am today without the time I spent here or the people I’ve been so fortunate to meet along the way!
​
I’m so grateful to Melaney Smith, BFK’s founder, for being brave enough to turn a bold idea into action, to Leslie Hale, BFK’s former Executive Director, for giving me the chance to be here, and to Rainey Lynch, BFK’s Director of Finance & Administration, for believing in me through every transition along the way. I leave behind an incredibly capable team of professionals that I’ve been so grateful to work alongside in our pursuit of a world where literacy belongs to all people. I have the utmost respect and admiration for this team, and I can’t wait to proudly cheer on their accomplishments from the sidelines!
It has been an absolute privilege and joy to serve this community with Books for Keeps. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions, and if you're available, I'd love to see you at one of our Spring Book Distributions in these next few weeks! These years will remain an experience that I’ll never forget for as long as I live, and I'm so grateful to have had this incredible opportunity.
From the bottom of my heart, sincerely, thank you so much for being you,
Justin Bray
