Editor’s note: This article was a finalist for the America Inspired Contest, which celebrated extraordinary people making a difference across the United States. We invite you to read about these amazing people.

In 2004 while "rocking out" to American Idol at the age of 10, Mackenzie Bearup experienced excruciating pain in her left knee. This pain would change Mackenzie's life in more ways than one -- introducing her to an incurable syndrome and ultimately leading her to her passion of healing homeless children with books.

Mackenzie discovered that the pain in her knee was caused by a chronic pain condition known as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) / Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). The pain Mackenzie experienced often kept her in bed for months. In order to escape from the pain she was feeling she indulged in reading a lot of books. "I read constantly to distract myself from the pain," recalls Mackenzie.

When her doctor discovered that she was using bibliotherapy as a way to mentally divert the pain he informed her that the Murphy Harpst Children’s Center in Cedartown, GA was building a children's library. The center is a residential treatment facility that houses extremely abused children. He suggested that Mackenzie donate a few books to the library. Knowing first hand how books helped her endure her pain, Mackenzie immediately responded to her doctor's call to action and began gathering her old books.

"I knew that my books would not be enough to donate to the Murphy Harpst Children's Center library. I spread the word that I was collecting books in every way that I could think of. I told my friends, put flyers around the neighborhood, and I even took out an ad to get books. Before I knew it I had collected 3,000 books. I ended up I filling their library to capacity with over 10,000 books. Once this was done I knew that there were other children out there that could benefit from the books that I was accumulating," states Mackenzie.

Realizing the need for children's books in homeless shelters, Mackenzie founded Sheltering Books, Inc in 2009 at the age of 16. She is the Founder and Director and her younger brother Ben  is the Vice President of Operations. Additionally, their brother Alex contributes to the overall success of Sheltering Books. "When I'm in a lot of pain, it's really hard to carry books, Ben and Alex are very supportive and help out in whatever ways that they can. I really appreciate all of their help," said Mackenzie.

Since it's inception, Sheltering Books has contributed books to 36 shelters in Georgia. They have also donated books to a number of shelters in 24 states. Mackenzie attributes much of her organization's success to having a very supportive network,"I have a good group of supportive friends. One girl that is like a little sister to me, Mackensie Eckensels, makes collecting books for children her main goal. She's always trying to figure out new and innovative ways to collect books. Her excitement and support is amazing. We are looking to open a Sheltering Books branch in her Texas hometown very soon," said Mackenzie. "I really enjoy when kids get involved. They get excited about helping other kids and I'm glad that I'm able to help them support a good cause. I show them that you don't have to be a grown up to change the world. You can take to smallest idea and make it into something phenomenal."

For her philanthropic efforts Mackenzie has been recognized by and received high honors from organizations including CNN Hero, NBC Nightly News Making a Difference, Prudential Spirit of the Community Award, Atlanta 20 under 20, Huffington Post Greatest Person of the Day, and many more. She has even been recognized on P. Diddy's blog as a hero.

Now 18 years of age, Mackenzie has a scholarship on hold at Savannah College of Art and Design where she would love to pursue fashion one day. For now she is most concerned about getting as close to "pain free" as possible and continuing to pursue her passion positioning Sheltering Books, Inc as the leading nonprofit to promote literacy in homeless youth. 

"I love seeing how excited the kids are when they receive a book. Their eyes light up and they jump all around. It really makes me feel so good. I would like to take Sheltering Books worldwide and become a household name similar to the Make-A-Wish Foundation," comments Mackenzie.

Since 2004, Mackenzie has collected over 90,000 books that have been distributed nationwide. Her plans for 2012 are to expand internationally and reach a goal of at least 150,000 books distributed to homeless shelters. 

 "I really want to reach a goal of distributing one million books although I must admit that even that isn't enough. According to statistics there's 1.35 million homeless children every night. I want to be able to supply books to all those children."

Help Mackenzie surpass 1,000,000 books!!!  To make donations to Sheltering Books, Inc visit website: www.shelteringbooks.org and Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/ShelteringBooks and spread the word.

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