When the fires swept through Los Angeles, they took more than people's homes—they took memories, comforts, and in some cases, the quiet joy of a child’s imagination. Among the many stories of loss, one in particular stayed with me: a young boy named "Sam" who lost his entire collection of books. I met him at a recent event, where he immediately picked out a book from the Harry Potter collection. I asked him if he had read the series before, and he told me he had, but tragically lost his entire collection in the fire. As a dedicated Harry Potter fan myself, I couldn't begin to imagine what he must be going through. I was eager for him to be transported to that magical world again.
After the fires, adults have been focused on rebuilding schools and homes. Of course, this should be the priority and their efforts are critical in restoring stability. But in the midst of all this recovery, not much attention has been given to kids who quietly lost something deeply personal- their treasured books. For many children like "Sam", books are more than stories; they are sources of imagination, comfort, and escape. Replacing them may not seem urgent, but for a child, getting back a favorite book is a small but powerful step in helping them feel whole again. That is why our mission is to give as many books as possible, not just to kids who lost them in fires but to all who love reading but can't easily build a personal library of their own at home to read and love.
Your donations helped bring so much joy to "Sam" as well as many other students impacted by the fires.
Thank you for your continued generosity.
The Bailey's Books Team
