Aaron Williams is a Project SEARCH intern who has worked in Aultman departments ranging from Radiology to Medical Records to AultCare. In addition to his Project SEARCH internship, the 21-year-old has spent much of the past year collecting new and used books to donate to local children in need.

“Aaron got involved in a book drive last spring through Chris Kieffer from Radiology, when she headed up a collection for United Way’s summer reading program,” said Aaron’s mom, Lisa Williams, who works in AultCare Customer Service. “Aaron donated 1,120 children’s books in 2015.”

When United Way decided to not have a book drive in 2016, Aaron was not deterred. He began a book drive for the Literacy on the Lawn program – and donated 2,000 books to Canton City Schools last month.

“Literacy on the Lawn is a series of family involvement days designed to get kids reading,” Lisa explained. “When children do not read over the summer months, they fall behind. Through this program, students can choose their own books to keep.”

Aaron received many book donations from family and friends, Aultman Hospital and AultCare staff, his former grade school teachers at Whipple Heights in Perry Township and his Canton Challenger baseball team family. “Aaron got a great response from Aultman Health Foundation team members,” Lisa said, “and I want to thank everyone who supported his book drive.”

Lisa and Aaron are always on the lookout for books. “Sometimes we go to garage and yard sales to purchase books,” she shared. “When Aaron would tell the sellers why he wanted the children’s books, many people would just give him the books. They were happy the books were going to a good cause.”

In addition to children’s books, Aaron donated more than 400 adult books in January 2016 to the Little Free Library on the main Aultman Hospital campus!

Aaron is an avid reader, and he will continue collecting books for Canton City Schools’ reading programs. “I believe it is very important for children – as well as adults – to give back to their community,” Lisa said. “You get great satisfaction from helping those less fortunate. You cannot quantify how you will feel after making a difference in someone’s life!”