gail borden public library

Gail Borden Public Library to host former Bartlett High teacher’s ‘Story of Giving’ Dec. 19

Gail Borden Public Library will host former Elgin Area School District U-46 educator and author Brett Weiss from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, in the Elgin Room at the main library, 270 N. Grove Ave.

In “A Story of Giving: One Person’s Journey to Give Young African Students an Education,” Weiss will share his journey of helping children and discuss his book “Just Give Them a Hug and the Rest Will Be Easy: How One Person Can Make the World a Better Place, One Child at a Time.”

When the Naperville resident traveled to Dago, Kenya in 2009 for the first time, he discovered that many children do not receive an education.

He started the Bernard and Elsie Weiss Dago Scholarship Fund, which is named after his parents. The fund helps students complete their education through high school.

It has awarded 32 full four-year scholarships and four of the students are now attending a university. His book tells the story of his travels, the people he has met, and the beginning of his scholarship project. He also encourages readers to take their own personal journey.

Weiss’s discussion, part of Gail Borden Public library’s “Authors on the Fox” local author series, will feature stories of his travels and the people he has met.

The program is free to the public but registration is required. Register at www.gailborden.info, by calling (847) 429-4597 or in person.

The “Authors on the Fox” series will continue in February. On Feb. 5, Dennis Depcik will speak on “Wouldn’t It Be Something.” It is a love story and nostalgic look at the power and uniqueness of the handwritten letter — how letters written across an ocean over 50 years ago between an Army officer and “insignificant kid” led to a marriage of 41 years and a love that lasted a lifetime.