Grant M. Thomas, III, or “Tom” as his friends call him, recently reached out to ECS about his new book, Adventures on Land, Sea, and Air, and generously offered to donate all proceeds to ECS.
“I’ve written a book,” Tom said. “And I would like the proceeds from sales of the book to be donated to ECS.”
Grant "Tom" Thomas with Jessica Lynch, ECS Director of Donor Relations
Tom has been a supporter of our mission for at least 30 years and first became interested in ECS while sitting in the pews on Sundays at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Wayne. He began volunteering with children at one of our Out-of-School Time outposts at St. Gabriel’s Church on Roosevelt Boulevard, playing cards and helping the children strengthen their reading skills.
Now at 92 years old, Tom published a book about his lifelong journey, beginning with his service in the U.S. Air Force and employment as a salesperson in Connecticut, Montreal, California, and Philadelphia.
When he retired from sales at the age of 56, Tom accepted an exciting job as a captain, or “skipper,” with Outward Bound, a non-profit educational organization that promotes character building, leadership, and service through outdoor activities. He remained active in the organization until 2001.
In his book, Tom actively engages his readers, offers advice, and allows them to take part in the curiosity of God’s creation and the mystery of His plan.
In addition to thanking a number of friends and family-members who helped convert his “chicken scratch handwriting” into print, the acknowledgement section also includes a hardy thank you to COVID, “who kept me in isolation so that I was motivated to Do Something for Heaven Sake, …Write!”
Copies of Tom’s book can be purchased here. All proceeds benefit Episcopal Community Services.