Helping Someone, A Beautiful Thing

If you live in Des Moines or the surrounding area and would like to help local homeless and at-risk individuals stay warm, you can donate at the Winter Clothing Drive. Here are the details: West Des Moines Human Services Winter apparel donation drive in West Des Moines 2026 Join us this month as we collect winter apparel to help local individuals and families stay warm. Donations of coats, hats, gloves, scarves, boots, snow pants, and other winter essentials make a real difference. Drop off donations: West Des Moines Human Services 139 6th Street Please ring the doorbell at the southeast donation entrance. A staff member or volunteer will assist you and provide a donation receipt. Donation Hours: • Mon–Thu: 8:30 AM–3 PM • Fri: 8:30 AM–12 PM • Tue Evenings: 4:30–6 PM Thank you for helping our neighbors stay warm this winter. And if you reside in another state, please donate at your local homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Your donation is greatly appreciated. – Randolph Randy Camp

Local Author Julia Dunt Visits Randie's Free Library

Randie’s Free Library was blessed yesterday with a visit from the true embodiment and spirit of giving back. Based in Des Moines, author Julia Dunt is constantly working on her own material, but graciously makes time to support and help up and coming writers within the various writers’ groups and workshops she’s involved with. During my conversation with Julia I was blown away with her sense of helping others and her community spirit. Not only is Julia an author, but she’s also a librarian. Julia’s love of books and reading started at a very young age. The ‘Goosebumps’ series were a favorite of Julia’s when she was little, but her interest now in stories vary throughout all genres. Julia says that she especially enjoys stories that are a little ‘outside the box’. While speaking with Julia I just love the way her face lights up when she’s talking about certain books or stories. This world would be a much better place if we had a few more giving Angels like Julia. It’s always a thrill when someone from my daughter Randie’s alma mater visits the Free Library. Julia’s husband Jamie is an alumni of Iowa State University. With a background in aeronautical engineering and being an avid outdoorsman, it was no surprise when Jamie mentioned that when he was growing up he was always curious about how things worked and shared memories of reading ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ as a kid. And, in the spirit of giving, while visiting yesterday, Julia also generously donated several books to Randie’s Free Library. If you would like to learn more about author Julia Dunt’s books or her other literary projects go to https://www.juliadunt.com/books . – Randolph Randy Camp

Acts of Kindness

Yes, it’s true, today’s headlines are definitely disheartening. The news makes it hard to believe and trust anyone anymore. While I was in the Air Force I experienced things that made me sick, but every day I fight to regain my trust in people. Every now and then others show their kindness and that helps me in my struggle to regain this trust. No matter how cruel and mean the world gets though, ultimately I do believe that there are more kind and goodhearted people out there than bad ones. Case and point, on this sunny January morning, an anonymous act of kindness was shown at RANDIE’S FREE LIBRARY. May God Bless each and every one of you who continually maintains a kind heart regardless of the heartless things you see and read about in the news. – Randolph Randy Camp

A Blessing Came Today

I want to thank Matt, Vikki (middle), and Samantha ‘Sam’ (far-left) for their generous book donation to RANDIE’S FREE LIBRARY today. Matt is an alumni of Iowa State University, and he personally knew Randie. When Matt was a kid his favorite children’s book was ‘Go, Dog. Go!’ Vikki’s favorite children’s books were ‘Cinderella’, ‘Snow White’, ‘Black Beauty’, and she enjoyed all of the Disney-related stories when she was a little girl, especially the stories with animal characters. Sam likes poetry and enjoys reading poems to her kids, and she tells me that ‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’ is one of her little daughter’s favorite books.

GIVING: A WONDERFUL THING

Giving someone the tools to expand their knowledge and imagination is a beautiful thing, and that’s what #freebooksaturday is all about. Simply take your used books and freely offer them to your neighbors. Touch someone’s soul this Easter weekend by participating in your own Free Book Saturday event. And please share your photos, if any. – Randolph Randy Camp
Learn more at http://www.goodreads.com/randolphcamp