As the story goes, Michelle and Nicol already looked up to Kathy as an amazingly selfless and Godly friend and mentor. It also didn’t hurt that she had an extensive background in hospitality, business ownership, leadership, and countless nonprofit work. That background includes owning several Trail Dust Steakhouses with her family, being a board member of the Dallas Opera and Dallas Theater, and being the President of the Dallas Theater Guild. Needless to say, she was precisely the person they needed to bring their fledgling idea to life in 2017. 

“It was a wonderful idea,” Kathy said. “I remember sitting down with them at the kitchen table and working through everything necessary to get started. I pulled out my notebooks from places I had been involved with and worked through what a structure for something like this might look like moving forward—how to set up a board, reporting mechanisms, etc. We started dreaming up a vision of where we wanted to go, and kudos to them for following through.” 

Kathy is still every bit the sounding board and volunteer Book Drive for Kids has needed as it continues to grow. More importantly, she has been instrumental in helping Michelle, Nicol, and so many others achieve personal growth and strive to be good stewards as they search for more ways to give back to the communities they serve.

“While you may not know the lives you touch, you hope that what you’re doing will positively affect future generations,” she said. “I love what Book Drive for Kids does, and I’ll continue to help for as long as they’ll have me.” 

Kathy considers herself a retiree but has no trouble keeping herself busy. She has organized and taught a women’s Bible study group in her home every Monday for the past 15 years and is an active member of Denton Bible Church. She is also involved with several other nonprofits, including Refuge for Women, and still finds time to play tennis three times a week. She also loves cooking and shopping. 

She and her husband, Nathanial, live in Argyle and are about to celebrate their 30th anniversary—possibly with a trip to Spain. They have a blended family with six kids (one of which is in heaven) and 12 grandchildren between three months and 25 years old. Interestingly, one of her step-children is Tan Parker, Senator for Texas Senate District 12. 

With help from volunteers like Kathy, Book Drive for Kids is able to give away thousands of books annually.  Join our volunteer fun and help us get more books to more kids!

After all, Jeannine comes from a large family of educators and business owners and always had what she calls a “built-in bias” for helping children and adults from all walks of life learn to read as early and as often as possible.

“I’ve seen the difference it can make in people’s lives,” she said. “For a child, a love for reading opens up their entire world.”

Fast-forward to today, and Jeannine’s bias couldn’t be stronger. She parlayed her education and countless trips around the world into teaching at the elementary and university levels, then went on to build a successful consulting practice where she now works with ambitious, fast-moving executives on their path to greatness. When she’s not busy doing that, she’s investing her time, talent, and treasure as a tireless volunteer, cheerleader, and board member for Book Drive for Kids.

Jeannine joined BDK five years ago after meeting Michelle Cook and Nicol Klingenstein through a joint Bible study group. The fearless duo happened to be asking for book donations, which Jeannine happily obliged.

The next thing she knew, she was volunteering at the warehouse and several area book fairs.

Then came even more volunteer opportunities, and Jeannine never once said no.

“When Michelle began talking about needing new books, my built-in bias kicked in, and my ears quickly perked up,” Jeannine said while reminiscing. “It’s hard to say no to Michelle, and honestly, I don’t want to say no. She is delightfully passionate about what she’s doing, and her infectious personality led me to what I’m doing for them today. It was certainly a fun decision, and I can see myself sticking around for quite a while—provided that my unique brand of mischief is tolerated.”

Jeannine has lived in the Flower Mound-Highland Village area for 30 years, and to say she’s accomplished quite a bit in her life would be the understatement of the century. Besides spending nearly three years teaching in Malaysia, she also spent three years in the Canary Islands. She has a Master’s in Human Resource Management and Marketing and a Doctorate in Human Resource Development.

Among many other accolades and credentials, she is a Master Certified Coach (MCC) and Certified Business Coach (CBC).

In her downtime, Jeannine is a member of three book clubs and travels internationally with the Voices of Flower Mound music group.

Do you enjoy gift-giving?
Volunteer at a Book Drive for Kids Free Book Fair.

It’s only a few hours a couple of times a year to distribute books to joyful faces. Imagine the thrill of seeing their eyes light up with excitement as they choose their very own book to take home.

Volunteers: Michelle, James Price of Independent Financial, retired Denton ISD teachers: Sheree Sardiner, BJ Hardesty and Jill Coulter, and Pam Lipari of Flower Mound

By sharing the gift of reading, you’re not only giving a physical book but also opening doors to imagination, knowledge, and endless possibilities. It’s a small gesture that can have a profound impact on a child’s life, fostering a lifelong love for reading and learning.

So yes, those few hours spent distributing books are more than worth it. They are moments that weave into the tapestry of a child’s future, inspiring dreams and nurturing curiosity. And who knows, perhaps one of those children will grow up to write stories that enchant the next generation.

Book Drive for Kids delivers the books directly to children in elementary schools around the metroplex.

It’s easy peasy for you! Choose a school from our list for the school year, sign in at the school office with a valid driver’s license, and join us as we have a wonderful day assisting the kids selecting a brand new book and a bonus book to take home. We pack up before the school bell rings at the end of the day, and you are free to enjoy the rest of the day. You will leave with a smile on your face because helping children choose a book is rewarding, fun, and fast-paced.

Not only will you be contributing to the literacy and joy of young minds, but you’ll also become part of a supportive community of volunteers who share a passion for reading and education. Each book drive event is a unique experience, filled with heartwarming moments and the infectious excitement of children discovering new stories. Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or new to the initiative, your efforts will make a significant impact. So, grab a friend, spread the word, and join us in making a difference, one book at a time. Together, we can inspire a lifelong love of reading and learning in the next generation.

Go to 2024-2025 Book Fairs and check out the upcoming Book Fair locations. This link is regularly updated.

Go to our website VOLUNTEER – Book Drive for Kids today! We can’t wait to hear from you!

What happened next went beyond her wildest dreams — and easily reshaped her life forever.

“I reached out through the website, and Michelle contacted me immediately,” Sara recalled. “We had coffee, and even after awarding them the donation, Michelle kept reaching out to see if I wanted to volunteer. I had just left my job and was looking to get more involved in my community, so I started with a few book fairs, helped organize the warehouse … and then there was the spelling bee. All of a sudden, I realized I was growing with them. We’ve been friends ever since.”

She added, “You can’t help but be drawn to them and their mission. The biggest thing is seeing the kids smile when they pick up their books and put their names on them. It’s one of the many reasons I keep coming back.”

Sara was born and raised in Midland but moved to North Texas 19 years ago. She and her husband, Matt, have been married for 11 years and live in Flower Mound. They enjoy traveling and are big-time sports enthusiasts, particularly Aggie football and the Dallas Stars. Sara also enjoys spending time with her five nieces and nephews whenever possible.

Before joining Book Drive for Kids, Sara spent two years as a weekend meteorologist in Midland and 16 years in the oil and gas industry for EOG Resources in Fort Worth. In 2018, she and her siblings became the co-managers of the Holland Family Foundation.

Their grandparents, Scotty and Jacque Holland, started the organization in 2010 to give back to the less fortunate in their community.

Clearly, they set an excellent example Sara still follows today.