It’s a few months into 2023, but one Stratford girl has already read enough for a lifetime.
Isabella “Izzy” Martchenko, age 6, is reading books and raising money for the MS-Read-a-Thon, an annual charity drive in which children read whatever and however much they can during the month of April.
This is Izzy’s third year of reading for the MS Read-a-Thon. As of Friday, she has raised over $3,600 for the charity with a goal of reaching $5,000 by the end of April. So far she has read over 450 books.
When asked how many words she reads a day, Izzy told StratfordToday very confidently: “Two thousand million, hundred thousand.”
Over the course of that conversation Izzy read three books, occasionally checking with her mom Lindsey for the proper pronunciation. According to Lindsey, that passion for reading is normal behaviour for her daughter, though admitted April is busy for her.
"She definitely gets a little bit more excited with Read-a-Thon time," she laughed.
Izzy began reading for the fundraiser after her mom was diagnosed with MS in 2018. Her goal is to raise money to find a cure for her mom.
In her first year, Izzy raised $6,000 and read 750 books. Last year her goal was $4,000. This year they are attempting to split the difference.
Reading exhaustively has always been a pastime for Izzy. She said that the reason why she’s so good at reading is because her mom used to read to her even before she was born.
Lindsey chalks up her fast reading to the sheer amount of practice. While the official number for the read-a-thon is over 450, Lindsey pointed out that they don’t track what she reads at school, “baby books,” or repeats.
As Lindsey said, it’s been difficult this year getting donations with the cost of living being so high. As part of their fundraising efforts, they have been getting creative.
The Corner Store Candy Co. created “Izzy’s Crazy World Mix,” with proceeds going to Izzy’s drive. On the first day of the read-a-thon, Fanfare Books donated 30 per cent of daily sales.
In one day Fanfare Books raised almost $800 for the cause.
The creative fundraising isn’t over just yet. Lindsey and Izzy are staging a book sale at Bedford Public School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday. Books will be sold by donation, with money going towards her $5,000 goal.
The book sale will also have other items from local vendors. K8thegr8 Designs has produced a "bookworm" t-shirt designed by Izzy, KP Resin Design will have resin bookmarks, and Stilettos & Sawdust will have a shelf leaner with a quote chosen by Izzy for sale.
All proceeds go towards Izzy’s goal.
Lindsey said she is “fairly confident” they will reach that goal. She said that the work that the community has put in has been instrumental in their success.
When asked what her favourite book was, Izzy responded with the Magic Treehouse series – specifically the one where the character Jack rides on a pterodactyl.
According to a trusted source, she did not have a problem reading the word 'pterodactyl.'
To donate to Izzy’s drive, visit her MS Read-a-Thon page.
