My Heartfelt Passion

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.