A Road Trip with Purpose

Being an intern at Book Harvest, you quickly learn that every day holds something unique as soon as you walk in — and some days begin earlier than others. One day in particular, Thursday, June 12th, began at 7 a.m. with a full tank of gas, a truck full of books, and an open road.

Last week, I had the absolute privilege of joining Book Harvest’s June Neese on a journey to four eastern North Carolina towns to deliver box after box of children’s books to eager county workers. It’s not every day you get the chance to explore a part of the state you’ve never been to while helping fuel a mission as meaningful as literacy for all — but I must be one of the lucky ones!

June and I set out bright and early, with Whiteville as our first stop. As we grew closer, a wave of nervous excitement set in. Would the drop-off go smoothly? Who would I meet? Countless questions rattled through my mind. Then we arrived and my nerves disappeared. We were greeted by the warm, excited faces of two Columbus County workers. Their enthusiasm was contagious. At that moment, I felt more deeply than ever that we weren’t simply delivering books. We were delivering resources that would open doors, spark imaginations, and support children and families far and wide.

From there, the day kept getting better. From Whiteville to Lumberton to Raeford to Lillington, each stop brought new faces, conversations, and experiences. While the recipients changed, the mission stayed the same: to provide children with free and easy access to books!

The time between these drop-offs was filled with engaging conversation with June, whose knowledge of local and national history kept me enthralled. I have to give a small shoutout to my newfound knowledge of the Beast of Bladenboro, the architectural highlights of historic schools and homes, and the ways to assess the age of certain roads by the houses built around them. I felt that I wasn’t just providing a service to these towns — I was learning about who they are: their histories, their traditions, even their legends.

Even though I’ll likely never meet the children who receive these books, just knowing where they’re headed fills me with excitement for Book Harvest’s mission and for the work ahead of me. This enchanting road trip reminded me that sometimes the smallest things — a cardboard box full of books, an engaging conversation, a friendly face — can grow into something so much bigger. I’m excited to watch more and more books reach every corner of North Carolina this summer!