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Boy can't afford books so asks postman for junk mail to read

READER: Matthew Flores asked postman Ron Lynch (left) for junk mail because he couldn't afford to buy books [PHOTO CREDIT - KSL]

A YOUNG boy from Utah who longed to read but couldn't afford to buy any books, made an odd request to his postman which lead to mass donation of books.

Most youngsters of the 21st century are about that digital life - playing video games, watching TV and surfing the web.

But 12-year-old Matthew Flores likes to read. In fact he loves to read so much, that he started to go through junk mail because it was the only reading material available to him, KSL reported.

Last week, Matthew approached postman Ron Lynch, asking if he could have any junk mail left over.

Lynch, confused, asked the boy why.

When Matthew explained that he didn’t have anything else to read, Lynch asked him about going to the library, where there are tons of books. Matthew explained that his family didn’t have a car and he couldn’t afford the bus fare.


Post carrier Ron Lynch appealed to his Facebook friends for help

Touched by the boy’s passion for reading, Lynch took to Facebook to ask his friends to send Matthew books.

"He [Mathew] told me his wish is to have books to read. I told him the library had many, but he said they don't have a car, and couldn't afford the bus,” wrote Lynch.

“So... let's get this 12 year old some books! Let's help him. I was given many books as a child, and it's time to help someone else!”

The people of Facebook duly responded. Within days, book lovers the world over – from Australia to India – took Mathew’s cause to heart.

Matthew now has hundreds of books, with more probably still on the way. However, he is not keeping his newly acquired library to himself.

"It’s super fun and it’s interesting. And plus, it gets you smarter,” Mathew said.

He plans to share the books with other kids as well, and is planning a book drive with Lynch.