My Heartfelt Passion – Books by Jim Davidson

My Heartfelt Passion: Saving Our Nation One Child ....

Davidson, Jim,

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My Heartfelt Passion: Saving Our Nation One Child at a Time

In modern American society, the child who grows up without learning to read does not have a prayer when it comes to achieving true success in life. Unfortunately, this is the case for several million of our nation’s children. According to an April 2017 study by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institute of Literacy, 32 million adults in the U.S. can’t read. Part of the reason is that 61% of low-income families have no books at all in the home for their pre-school children to read, a crucial time when reading development takes place.

There is hope, and it can be found in My Heartfelt Passion: Saving our Nation one Child at a Time, written by Jim Davidson, nationally syndicated columnist who founded a unique literacy project called “Bookcase for Every Child” in his home town of Conway, Arkansas. This project has now spread to five other states. They have given over 2,000 personalized bookcases, and a starter set of books, to pre-school children being reared in low-income families.

In the author’s easy, conversational style, he takes us to the day he was born and moves forward to share the people, events, and experiences that led him to develop a heartfelt passion for underprivileged children. He covers his personal history; how some children are born with advantages, while others are born with unspeakable disadvantages.

After reading this book and lays it aside, anyone will know the ins and outs of organizing and starting a bookcase project in their own community that is sustainable and will make a difference. Without a doubt this project can be replicated in every community in America, and over time can become a tool to change the lives of preschool children. They will then have enthusiasm and hope that come only to literate people who can function as contributing members of society.

Jim Davidson is a Christian businessman and a native of Gould, Arkansas. His career as a public speaker, author, and motivational consultant has spanned more than 45 years. Some of his many awards and achievements include: Arkansas Salesman of the Year, Chairman of the Diamond Club, Justice of the Peace in Pulaski County, Chairman of Speakers Bureau of the Pulaski County United Way, Leadership Gavel as voted by members of his Dale Carnegie Class, and honorary member of the DECA & GCE Clubs of Arkansas. He has also been presented with the “Good Neighbor Award” by the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce and is the 2010 “Distinguished Service Award” winner for the Conway Public Schools. In November 2013, Jim was given a Senate Citation and the Conway Community Service Award by Senator Jason Rapert during a ceremony at the Faulkner County Library.

Since 1980, Jim has written and produced a daily radio program titled “How to Plan Your Life,” now broadcast by over 300 radio stations coast to coast and heard by thousands of people each weekday. In 1995 he also began writing Log Cabin Democrat, in Conway, Arkansas. Running his column since its inception, it is believed to be most successful self-syndicated column in the history of American journalism. Jim was a staunch member of the Conway Noon Lions Club for over 20 years, including twice being named a Melvin Jones Fellow, the highest award in Lionism. He also served as Chairman of the Annual Golf Tournament and the Harlem Ambassador Fundraiser Event

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Reviews

"My Heartfelt Passion" is hard to put down and easy to pick back up again. It’s rich with the wisdom of one who’s been around the block. It freely expresses what was learned along the way—even when it highlights Mr. Davidson’s past mistakes. He reveals an early character flaw and the wake-up call that turned him around. He also gives credit to "the people who held his ladder" or helped him along the way.

This memoir is unique as it focuses on a greater cause than his own life and times. It has a forward-moving pace, not lingering on the past, but marching on toward his goal of increasing national literacy. Mr. Davidson tells how this passion has drawn in whole communities who now get involved every year.

The book offers plenty, even for the reader whose time is consumed by other causes. And Mr. Davidson includes a treasure trove of books by other authors in case this 12-chapter book inspires you to read more.

Jim Davidson’s words--when heeded--can contribute to success in life. Time-tested principles are presented with the same engaging style that keeps this reader (children’s book author Ramona Wood) unable to bypass his column whenever it appears in my local newspaper!

Ramona L. Wood

5.0 out of 5 stars Nationally Syndicated Columnist and Speaker Leads Others to Success!

I absolutely loved this book. As a contestant in the Miss America system, I have a chosen personal cause that I advocate for. Mine is literacy. When I heard of Mr. Davidson's work with his bookcase project I knew I wanted to find out more. This program is truly incredible. This book ignited my passion for literacy even more and gave me all the information I need to begin a project in the town I attend college. I encourage any and everyone to read this story. It will inspire and excite you. It will ignite a passion to start your own project; and it will give you all the information you need to do so. Allow yourself to be taken on a journey of inspiration and passion and then begin that very same passion in your own community! Thank you, Mr. Davidson for your work, passion, and drive to help make our country stronger through the power of literacy! Taryn Bewley- Miss Petit Jean Valley 2018

Taryn Bewley

5.0 out of 5 stars I absolutely loved this book

I really enjoyed reading this book. I have read a couple of Jim Davidson's other books. He has always given credit to others for their ideas and works, but this one is different. Each person is considered his friend and it tells exactly how they helped make a contribution to his calling of "A Bookcase for Every Child". The detailed instructions on starting your own community book project are precise. If future leaders do things their own way it is because they did not read the book. Work smarter not harder!

Paula Shupps

5.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed reading this book

My friend, Jim Davidson, is a proven author, and "My Heartfelt Passion" is no exception. He hit the nail on the head, as always, and turned a passion into a plea for us all to get on board. I give it five out of five stars!

Bill Ward

5.0 out of 5 stars My friend, Jim Davidson, is a proven author ...

Easy read with some great ways to get involved in your community and touch peoples lives especially children’s lives. Yes a good read!

Angel

5.0 out of 5 stars Very inspiring

Author Jim Davidson believes illiteracy impacts every person in a community, so he developed a way to pass on a love of reading. His philosophy in a nutshell: Give a child a bookcase and some books and that child will become a reader. His program, “A Bookcase for Every Child,” strives to reach preschool children who are at greatest risk, those whose parents may not be able to afford books, children of low-income families.

Davidson founded “The Conway Bookcase Project” in 2005, and his project has expanded. In 2017, supporters built 50 personalized bookcases to give to children who most needed help. And similar programs have developed in six states.

According to Davidson, 61 percent of low-income families have no books in their homes, and illiteracy costs the United States billions of dollars a year in lost productivity, violence and crime. Inspired by his mother, who in spite of growing up in poverty became a voracious reader and reared a family of readers, Davidson set about improving literacy in society—one child at a time.

In his book Davidson offers concrete steps to develop such a program: Hold a bookcase fundraising banquet, find master builders to build the bookcases (from plans he offers), gather new and gently used books and hold an annual awards ceremony to present bookcases with nameplates to the children. He suggests how to maintain such a project. For instance, you need a treasurer to account for funding and disbursements.

The book includes illustrations of banquet tickets, announcements and letters to use in the project. He also includes photos of those working with him on this project.

Davidson is a public speaker, author and motivational consultant. The book includes details I might have skipped, such as naming people instrumental in building his program to honor their commitment. But his overall message—to make your community a better place by blessing its children with bookcases and books—is a unique and important message. He sounds a clear call to action for readers to commit to such a project in their own communities.

Shirley Brosius

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Kids to Read

My Heartfelt Passion: Saving Our Nation One Child at a Time is an encouraging book by Jim Davidson. The book emphasizes the importance of literacy while chronicling the author’s strides in helping underprivileged individuals learn to read through his program, “A Bookcase for Every Child.”

If you love volunteering projects, this is an exciting and motivational book to have! I loved reading about Davidson’s program and how it is orchestrated; I especially liked learning about the fundraising aspects of the project. Davidson’s work is truly inspirational, showing how ideas can be turned into actions. It is wonderful to read about the positive impact that this project has had on people and the community.

Oak

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational and Encouraging