Izzy the Bookworm partners with Fanfare Books to reach MS Read-A-Thon goal

Izzy and Lindsey Martchenko at FanFare Books on Nov. 9. The bookstore supported Izzy's MS Read-A-Thon with 30 per cent of proceeds from all in-store sales that day going towards the eight-year-old’s fundraiser.

Just before her interview with the Stratford Times at Fanfare Books in Stratford on Nov. 9, eight-year-old Izzy Martchenko, also known as Izzy the Bookworm, dashed to the bookstore’s children’s section. She also flipped through several books during the interview.

The bookstore at 92 Ontario St. had a fundraiser where 30 per cent of proceeds from in-store purchases on Nov. 9 were donated to Izzy’s MS Read-A-Thon fundraiser. Fanfare Books had several patrons browsing around the store during the event.

Izzy and her mom, Lindsey Martchenko, love to visit Fanfare and the Stratford Public Library. Izzy is participating in her fourth MS Read-A-Thon and already surpassed both her fundraising and reading goal.

On the Izzy the Bookworm Facebook page, Izzy announced that she raised $1,100 from Fanfare Books. Her fundraising page also indicated that as of Nov. 13, she read 201 books and raised $5,395.19.

Her favourite types of books to read right now are “Disney and chapter books.”

"People always ask her favourite book, and she always has a different answer,” Lindsey Martchenko said. “She’s all over the place.”

"It used to be A Cuddle for Little Duck,” Izzy added.

“Yes, that's your favourite picture book, right?” her mom responded. “That's what you said the other day." 

As someone who works in fundraising and is living with multiple sclerosis (MS), Lindsey Martchenko is touched by Izzy’s passion to read as many books as possible to raise money for a cause that means a lot to the family.

"At a young age, she would say, 'Oh mommy, I need to read more, I need to read more,' ” Lindsey Martchenko said. “I would say, 'Honey, you've already read so much,' and she goes, 'Yeah, but I'll raise more if I read more,' and so it's very cute, too, to watch her interpretation of what we're doing."

Lindsey Martchenko is also thankful for Fanfare Books’ support for Izzy’s MS Read-A-Thon.

"They are so lovely and this is so amazing that they do this to help us out and it's such a huge percentage, too,” she said. “I know that a lot of businesses are hurting these days and everything's so expensive, so for a local business to donate 30 per cent is absolutely incredible and it's so greatly appreciated."

Izzy will continue her Read-A-Thon until April 30, 2025. Donations can be made online by visiting www.msreadathon.ca/fundraisers/IzzyMartchenko5528/read-a-thon-2024.