My Home Library: A win-win for students and volunteers

It’s that time of year again - when Air Liquide delivers the gift of reading to the students at Treasure Forest Elementary in Houston. Air Liquide and its employees fund the My Home Library campaign, which purchases six brand new books for each student, just in time for the winter break.

Kime Smith, Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation chief strategic partnerships & programs officer, said, “This is Air Liquide’s sixth year for this program. For the kids who have been with us from the beginning, they now have a home library of 30 books and will receive an additional six today.” That’s something to celebrate.

Explaining the realities of the school’s population, Smith said, “When a mom has to choose between a book or  bread, the bread will win every time.” This reflection is exactly why initiatives like My Home Library are so important to underserved communities. 

“I just finished one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had in a while,” said Air Liquide North America CEO Adam Peters, after spending the morning delivering books and reading to the kids. “To see bright, smiling faces of children after giving them a gift… It was really a gift for me as much as it was for them.”

Participating in the event was Peters’ first since becoming the NAM Cluster CEO in January. He believes in the importance of giving back and as a leader, showing employees the personal benefits of giving back. He wasn’t the only one enamored with the interaction.

A former school teacher, Alora Delacruz, now internal communications specialist, Americas hub, wanted to know when she could go back to the school. “I miss the kids so much,” she exclaimed. Alora, we already have you signed up for next year!

The festive experience was capped off with a welcomed surprise. Two of the school’s teachers rolled out the welcome wagon for the volunteers — complete with freshly brewed coffee, juice and Mexican pastries! The entire event was a Hallmark moment!

Thanks to Chloe Cacciaguida, Alora Delacruz, Diane Ho, Anh Kim, Susan Klein, Adam Peters, Priya Ravindranath, Jill Robinson and Kelsey Smitherman.