It was a special day for Kansas City barber Joey Thomas when he received a big surprise from the city’s Mayor. Thomas, a father of two – including a newborn, is deeply invested in helping his community become a better place. One of the initiatives he is very involved in happens to be one that Southwest Airlines supports. It’s a reading-focused organization called “Turn the Page KC.” The group works to improve Kansas City’s future by increasing 3rd grade reading proficiency and encourages the community to donate books and help young kids learn to read at home and school.
Turn the Page recently organized a campaign called #DadsTurnthePage which was aimed at encouraging fathers to read to their children. Turn the Page Executive Director Mike English says reading to your children helps form lifelong bonds and creates special memories that father and child can enjoy for the rest of their lives. One of those fathers who went above and beyond was Joey Thomas. He was even featured in a video on the organization’s website. To celebrate with him and show appreciation for how much he is helping his community, Mayor Sly James (also Turn the Page KC’s Board Chairman), and Southwest Airlines presented Thomas with two roundtrip tickets for a much needed vacation.
“My wife and I have been talking about taking a vacation for a long time,” Thomas said. “This is just a blessing.”In addition to being a father, husband, barber, and business owner, Thomas finds time to give back. He organizes back to school drives for kids in August, provides free hairs cuts and school supplies, collects and donates turkeys during the holidays, and even challenges his friends to donate to local organizations. To learn more about Turn the Page KC and how you can help, visit their website HERE.