Books For Africa Founder Walks Fifty Miles to Send Books to Somalia

Tom Warth has done it again.

Each year, Books For Africa founder Tom Warth stages a walk to raise awareness and funds for Books For Africa. This year, Tom and a team of dedicated Books For Africa supporters trekked 50 miles from the oldest public library in the state of Minnesota (Taylors Fall, MN, USA) to the steps of the capitol building in St. Paul.

This year, Warth and the walkers raised more than $13,000 to send a container of books to Central Somalia. Their route took them through some of the beautiful trails around the state including the William O’Brien State Park and the Gateway Trail. Even through pouring rain, nothing could stop this group of walkers. At least 65 people joined the effort throughout the weekend!

A warm welcome awaited the walkers on the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol Building on Sunday, April 27 at the Books For Somalia Celebration. Attendees heard from  Congressperson Keith Ellison; Mahamed Cali, executive director of the Somali American Community; Brett Feldman, executive director of the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota, and Tom Warth.

The ceremony ended with an uplifting speech from Cali, who originally hails from Somalia. Cali spoke of the importance of education in creating a more peaceful future for Somalia. “We must send books, not bullets!” he proclaims. With the funds raised from this walk, Books For Africa will do just that.

See the local media buzz:
St. Paul Pioneer Press (St. Paul, MN, USA - April 24, 2014)
Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN, USA - April 25, 2014)
All Things Considered – Minnesota Public Radio (St. Paul, MN, USA - April 24, 2014)