Adopt a Book twins honored as youth leaders

The United Way will recognize 11-year-old twins Alex and Hannah Laman of Loveland during the Leaders and Legends luncheon May 6 at Duke Energy Center.

Alex and Hannah will receive the New Century Award for Youth Leadership which salutes individuals for caring and compassion which improves the lives of others. Patti Cruse is with United Way and helps organize the annual award meeting.

“The award is for their work in the community for some organizations that are United Way, and some that are not,” Cruse said. “They are among the youngest ever. It’s pretty rare that someone that young gets recognized. They’ve done a great thing for volunteerism and setting leadership examples for the future.”

At age 8, Alex and Hannah discovered a need for books in many local schools and the homes of many children who don’t have books. They founded Adopt a Book to fill those needs nearly three years ago. Since then, they’ve collected and distributed more than 40,000 books to 33 local schools and non-profit organizations. Sally Aiken lives in Loveland, works with United Way, and nominated the Laman twins for the award.

“I’m an avid fan. I was just completely impressed by two 10-year-olds choosing to do this,” Aiken said. “They are two kids who love to read. They’ve done everything in their power to make sure all kids have books in their homes.”

Aiken knew them from the community of Loveland, knew about their Adopt a Book program, and had actually taken books to them. Eventually she helped make the connection to some other United Way programs providing books for children.

“Having books in the home is a huge part of making sure children are prepared to succeed in school,” she said. Aiken actually was called in by the selection committee after nominating Alex and Hannah. They were up against high school age kids and she thought their youth made the nomination stand out.

“I am so excited and passionate about what they’re doing; I was thrilled to have the chance to share a little bit more in person. I knew they were going to get it. It’s too good.”

The Lamans did not know they were going to get it. They did not even know they had been nominated for an award. They had no idea the day their mother Angela Laman brought in a piece of mail from United Way. How did they find out?

“A letter came through the mail and told us we had won it,” Hannah said. “At first we didn’t know it. We didn’t know someone had nominated us for it. We opened the letter like it was any other letter.”

“We were like: what is this award,” Alex said. “We’d never heard of it before.”

They said their dad told them what the award is. What is it?

“We’re getting the United Way Youth Leadership award,” Alex said. “We’re pretty excited to win the award, but didn’t realize how big it was.”

“Usually the people who win it are older kids,” Hannah said. “We knew it was big because it was from United Way.”

Now they know young people through age 21 are eligible for the award. At age 11, Alex and Hannah know they are the youngest to receive the award. They said teens are usually selected and it is given for “doing good” in the community.

Last year’s Youth Leadership award-winner was 16 and gave an inspirational speech. This year Alex and Hannah will both speak during the award presentation at Duke Energy Center May 6. Alex said Hannah is afraid of speaking.

“Yes I am,” she admitted. “Speaking is the last thing…I had to get up in front of our class today, and I did not want to do it. It’s the number two fear.”

When Hannah was told people get paid to speak, she was quick with the reply, “I’ll speak in front of crowds more often.” For now she’s decided her brother can speak first at the award luncheon. They only have to speak for one minute each. Alex knows he’s going first and has a pretty good idea of what he’ll say.

“Not word-by-word,” he said, “but first I’ll thank everybody. I’ll thank my parents. I’ll thank everybody who has played a part in Adopt a Book.”

Like an experienced speaker, and noting “it’s only a minute,” Alex plans to end his comments quickly. He’s more worried about saying everything and not leaving anything for Hannah to say. They want to say as much as they can about Adopt a Book. At first they didn’t know who nominated them for the award, but now they want to tell Sally Aiken “thank you for nominating us for this award.”

“I’m thrilled they’re being given this award,” Aiken said. “I think it is especially exciting and thrilling that our Loveland neighbors are going to know about this award for Alex and Hannah.”

“I hope to continue to grow,” Alex said. “He wants us to go international,” Hannah said.

Learn more about Adopt a Book at: www.adoptabookohio.org.