A simple response from a young child lights a fire, and within two years Ride for Reading has donated over 15,000 books to help improve literacy for low-income kids.

Mathew Portell shares his passion for reading, young kids and how bicycling is helping to bridge the literacy gap for needy children.  Ride for Reading began here in Nashville in early 2008 and has garnered support throughout the community.  In this interview you will learn his organization is only beginning to scratch the surface in addressing this national epidemic.
   

NC.com - Tell us about Ride for Reading – why did you start it and what is its primary mission? 

Mathew Portell:  "All right guys and girls, I want you all to read tonight for 15 minutes!"  I said.  It was the response I received that has changed my life forever.  "Mr. Portell, I do not have any books at my house to read."  It was because of these words that I started Ride for Reading.  It only took a little research to realize that my students were like so many other children in low-income areas. Did you know that in low-income areas there is ONE age appropriate book per three hundred households!*  My students, like so many others, do not have access to books in their homes.  It is Ride for Reading's mission to promote literacy through the distribution of books to children from  low-income areas!  However, it seems our mission is going to be expanding very soon!!!

NC.com - As an educator by profession, what have you seen as obstacles for children as it relates to literacy?

Mathew Portell:  For the past year I have worked in many middle and high schools within Nashville.  It has been both eye opening and heart breaking to see teenage boys and girls who do not possess the skills to read.  I refuse to say they can't read, I prefer to say they haven't been given the skills or resources to be successful.  Imagine your life as a teenager if you do not possess basic  literacy skills.  I have seen students refuse to try so that they would not fail in front of their peers.  The children in our community, country, and world who cannot read possess a low sense of self and I high expectation for failure.  It is hard to succeed when you do not possess the tools for success!

NC.com - Ride for Reading is still in the early development stage, but so far you’ve received a tremendous amount of support from the local community.  Highlight some of the success and momentum you’ve experienced thus far.

Mathew Portell:  Our greatest success is that we have donated over 15,000 books to children within Middle Tennessee!  It is because of this accomplishment that we have gained support from MOAB, Woody's Bicycles, Eastside Cycles, Sun & Ski Sports, Bike Pedlar, Gran Fondo, Cumberland Transit, and Biker's Choice!  However, we are very proud of Swiftwick International's donation of a 4,000 sq/ft space that we are going to be using as our home base for book storage and distribution!  We has also gained the support of Team Niner/Ergon, an amazingly successful professional mountain bike team.  They are proudly wearing our logo on their chest!  So, every time they stand on the podium our logo will be displayed appropriately over their heart!  Lastly, we have recently formed a partnership with the Cumberland University cycling team!  They are truly going to impact the children within their community by collecting and distributing books.  This partnership is very special because they are going to act as a self-sustained extension of Ride for Reading.

NC.com - What was the motivation behind tying literacy and cycling?  How did this combination come together?

Mathew Portell:  The greatest motivator to me is passion!  My love for being an educator and cycling go hand in hand.    Both play an integral part of my life and it was because of this that I combined them into one to create Ride for Reading.  I see my bike not only as a source of exercise or pleasure, but also as a tool for change.  There are more cyclist in the world than golfers, so it only made since to use cycling as tool to bring attention and resources to a major need that exists in not only our communities, but also around the world.
 

NC.com - Talk our readers through the process of taking book donations and then giving them away.  Plus, what is the impact made not just on the kids in need, but also for the volunteers involved.

Mathew Portell:  The process is very simple!  We take in donations through local bike shops, businesses, and the community. We then receive requests from teachers or schools. Lastly, we distribute the books.  It is that simple.  However, we have several modes of distribution. The most fun and rewarding distribution is via bike.  We gather 8-15 riders and head out to the school/classroom with books in tow or on our back.  There is nothing more rewarding than being met outside of the school by cheering, smiling, screaming children.  The Tour de France peloton has nothing on this!  The riders then take the books to the library where the children come in one class at a time to choose a book or books of their choice!  We also will deliver the books via car.  Although this is not nearly as exciting the children are still very excited to receive a free book.  Lastly, we host teacher books pick-ups.  Teachers make an appointment, come to a designated site, and choose books for their students.  Everyone of our distribution modes serve the same purpose and that is to get books into the hands of children that need them!

NC.com - Aside from books to give to children in need, what other support is your organization in need of and accepting?

Mathew Portell:  We are in constant search of funding support.  Although Ride for Reading has a small budget there are still many operating costs, including the purchasing of specific books requested by students.  It is amazing how far we can make a $100 donation go.

NC.com - What is your ultimate dream for Ride for Reading , where do you want to really take it?

Mathew Portell:  Unlike cycling, my dream for Ride for Reading has no ceiling or limit!  I feel that we can impact the lives of children all over the world.   I realize that it takes time and effort for that to happen.  However, we have enough of both!  I do have a dream to bring our sport of  cycling to children who would never be able to experience it.  This has been a dream of mine for many years and I feel Ride for Reading has a lot to offer the children in not only our community, but children everywhere!

NC.com - Thank you for sharing the Ride for Reading story.  You get the last word - what would like to share with our readers?

Mathew Portell:  Giving a child a book is giving them the opportunity to go anywhere, see anything and experience everything.  It is Ride for Reading mission to provide the means to those journeys!

To learn more about Ride for Reading please visit www.rideforreading.org.   

* Neuman, Susan B. and David K. Dickinson, ed. Handbook
of Early Literacy Research, Volume 2. New York, NY: 2006,
p. 31