In a world where you can be anything, be kind to one another. That sentiment rings very true in the halls of Benjamin Cosor Elementary School. However, a dedicated teacher, Susan Kentop, and her friend, Kaitlin Johnstone, took their acts of kindness to a higher level through the love of reading.
Ms. Johnstone, an Ellenville, New York native, spent several years as a Kindergarten teacher in Florida before embarking on an ambitious new venture. Together with her husband, Kevin, she co-founded a clothing business called Kind Cotton, which promotes messages of inclusivity, justice, and advocacy.
The idea came to light when Kaitlin, as a Kindergarten teacher, realized just how important it was for children to read for pleasure. She fondly remembered how deeply stories and characters had resonated with her as a child. She took it upon herself to spread the love of reading as far as possible through Kind Cotton. With every item of clothing purchased, a book is donated directly to a child.
In 2022, Susan and Kaitlin reconnected. During their conversation, Kaitlin shared how much Kind Cotton had grown and the countless books she donated. Susan was deeply impressed by her meteoric success. In which case, Kaitlin agreed to have up to 1,000 books donated to students at Benjamin Cosor Elementary School.
At the time, students were overjoyed to see Ms. Kentop rolled a cart full of books into their classroom. The impact of that donation was so great that in May of this year, another order—estimated at six to eight dozen books—was delivered.
The selfless and compassionate efforts made by Susan and Kaitlin can serve as a reminder that even small acts of kindness are more than enough to enact lasting positive change. When asked about her relationship with Kaitlin and her passion to spread the joy of reading, Susan replied, “I’m so proud of who she’s become—and what an empathetic person she has become. It’s impressive to see a small-town girl giving back [to the community].”