Prologue: How Regions Bank Connects Communities Through Children’s Literacy
Our protagonists are Oscar Davis, Government and Institutional banker, and Norma Osorio, Commercial Banking relationship specialist, with Regions Bank. Settle in for a tale of how they helped spark a connection that’s expanding young minds.
“We’re not only a bank, but we also think about them in their community and provide them with a book, which is going to offer them their first dream,” said Davis.
We’re not only a bank, but we also think about them in their community and provide them with a book, which is going to offer them their first dream.
Oscar Davis, Government and Institutional banker
Chapter 1: Bringing a Free Book Fair to IDEA A.W. Brown Academy in Dallas
The first week of school is always filled with excitement.
And at IDEA A.W. Brown, counselor Jai Hall will tell you it’s also filled with a common student question:
“Are the book people coming back this year?”
Hall, herself an avid reader, understood their interest after learning about the program her first week on the job in 2024.
“When I heard about Book Drive for Kids, I thought, ‘I absolutely have to make this connection with Michelle,” she said.
Michelle is Michelle Cook, executive director of the nonprofit bringing free book fairs to under-resourced schools in Texas. Students are encouraged to choose two titles to keep among hundreds of page-turning options.
With Regions also serving the banking needs of IDEA Chapter Schools for a decade, creative inspiration struck Davis and Osorio. Why not bring the two organizations together with Regions sponsoring the book drive serving IDEA students?
It’s been a fairytale fit for A.W. Brown’s eager readers in Red Bird, a Southwest Dallas community.
“Beyond academics, the books offer our scholars a doorway into imagination, creativity and self-expression,” said Hall.
The program also reinforces one of the school’s core values: responsibility.
“Students are given the opportunity to put their names inside the books to make them their own,” said Hall. “Putting their name in something means they take ownership of it; they can take care of it. They can put it in that special place where all their special things are. That speaks volumes.”
While the book fair occurred in January, the students – and Hall – are still talking about it. And they’re already anticipating its next visit.
“Book Drive for Kids has done more than cultivate a lifelong love of reading among our children – it’s truly enriched our community,” said Hall. “We are grateful for the continued opportunity to place high-quality books directly into the hands of our students.”
Book Drive for Kids has done more than cultivate a lifelong love of reading among our children – it’s truly enriched our community.
Chapter 2: How Book Drive for Kids and Regions are Expanding Reading Access in Austin Schools
It takes an impressive feat to top pizza lunch and field day for elementary students.
But there’s one experience that leaves both in the dust every time at IDEA Parmer Park Academy in Austin.
“When Book Drive for Kids comes, the students get very excited,” said Jessica Balboa, the school’s assistant principal of Instruction.
Third-grader Aveline Acevedo is one of them.
“The books make me feel more relaxed,” she said. “Sometimes, a book can be a little funny. Sometimes, a book can give you a life lesson.”
Balboa shares another benefit from the stories children choose.
“It involves the family, because the students will go home and say, ‘Please read it to me,’” she said. “Or they may read it to a younger sibling. It can start a tradition or build onto something maybe they haven’t had.”
The win-win-win factor is what encouraged Stephanie Perryman to support the community collaboration in Austin.
“By joining together, IDEA is empowering students realize their potential through academic excellence while Book Drive for Kids fulfills its mission to increase access to books,” said Perryman, market president for Regions Bank in Austin. “And no one loves the program more than the students, who are experiencing new places and adventures through reading.”
While book fair day is always full of joy, finding just the right title is serious business.
“We make sure the students have enough time. We adjust their schedule for them to really go and pick out a book,” said Balboa.
This program expands their exposure to literature, opening a new world to them. They get very excited about owning their own book. We’re very thankful every time Book Drive for Kids tells us they’re coming.
Acevedo knows the elements she’s seeking in a great read.
“The stories, the plot, the characters,” she said.
And when Acevedo and her classmates finish savoring each of those from their selection, they’ve found a way to extend their reading circle by creating an informal lending library.
“The students have gotten creative by trading books with their friends,” said Balboa.
Allowing them to explore their next chapters.
“Because we live in an economically disadvantaged area, some of our students may not be able to buy books or travel to the library,” said Balboa. “This program expands their exposure to literature, opening a new world to them. They get very excited about owning their own book. We’re very thankful every time Book Drive for Kids tells us they’re coming.”