9-year-old boy saves allowance to donate 100 books to prisoners
9-year-old Tyler Fugget (middle) pictured with officers of the Montgomery County jail. Photo taken from Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook.
Most children would save money to buy material things for themselves, but Tyler Fugget had something more noble in mind.
The 9-year-old Tennessee native has been hailed as the new internet sweetheart after saving his allowance money all summer, to start a book charity for the prisoners of the Montgomery county jail.
With the help of his mother, Rebecca Corkren, the youngster traveled to a dozen stores from Clarksville to Nashville to buy more than 100 books to donate.
“I don’t want people to think bad things while they are in jail,” Fugget explained in a report from ABC news. “I want people to get out and not do bad things again.”
Corken added that the books they donated were carefully picked out and filled with inspirational stories.
“I’ve read a few of them and looked through them,” she said. “We make sure not to bring any violent books. They are to better yourself.”
The Montgomery Sheriff’s Office, meanwhile, lauded the boy’s selfless act at such a young age.
“For this 9-year-old here that lives in Montgomery County to take it upon himself to spend his allowance to purchase books for a good cause is awesome,” Montgomery County Sheriff John Fuson said in the report.
His mother also revealed that Fugget’s generosity was inspired by his stepfather who was in and out of jail in recent years.
“Like he says, if he can change one person for when they come out and do right things, then he has done his job,” she said.
With additional donations from willing individuals, Fugget hopes to continue his book charity, “Time to Read,” throughout the summer.
He also plans to donate books to hospitals, veteran’s homes and shelters. Khristian Ibarrola
