Recent Encounters : Dallas Woodburn

Dear Jackie,

My name is Dallas Nicole Woodburn and I am seventeen years old.  I just finished reading your book Teens With the Courage to Give and I wanted to let you know how much it inspired me.  I was born three months prematurely, weighing just two pounds, six ounces, and doctors said it was a miracle I lived.  I am so grateful for my life and I try to give back to others every day.  I tutor grade-school children, head my school's beach clean up days and canned food drives, and visit the elderly in nursing homes. 

I have always loved to read and write -- I dream of becoming a professional published author someday -- and so literacy is also an especially important cause to me.  Three years ago I started a foundation called "Write On!" that encourages kids to read and write through projects such as essay contests, read-a-thons, an interactive website (http://www.zest.net/writeon) and Holiday Book Drives that have collected and distributed nearly 5,000 new books for underprivileged kids. 

My favorite part about volunteering is hearing back from people who you have been touched.  Even a smile or simple "thank you" makes me feel so good inside, that's why I wanted to write to you and say "thank you," because your book has certainly touched my life, as it undoubtedly has touched many other lives as well. 

You are an inspiration, Jackie.  Thank you for spreading kindness and encouraging others to have the “courage to give."

Back to Inspiring Stories >>