Hi! My name is David Beaty II. I am a Life Scout in Troop 114 in Huntsville, Texas. Operation Happy Books is my Eagle Scout project. This book drive is very important to me and I would like to tell you about why I chose to serve Texas Children's Hospital and their libraries.

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When I was 6 years old, I got sick and was sent to Texas Children's Hospital to see doctors and have tests done. In between tests, my mom and I stopped at the library located in the hospital. I got lost in a new comic book. The book made me feel happy and I forgot about being scared. When it came time to go to my next test, the library allowed me to take the book with me! My mom offered to pay for the book, but the librarian just gave me a warm smile and said she was glad I was enjoying it.

It might be hard to understand how such small book could impact a kid so much. What I can tell you is that I don't remember much at all about that day. I don't remember the doctors or the tests or the waiting rooms. I don't remember feeling bad, being scared or being in pain. All I remember is reading that book and looking at the hilarious characters. I remember laughing and reading my mom the jokes. The joy I got from my new book replaced the negative and made that day a happy memory for me.

That day, on the way home, my mom and I talked about one day giving back to the hospital that gave so much to me. Operation Happy Books is my way of saying thank you and I hope these books help make happy memories for other kids who might get lost in a book too!

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