For Naomi, Maybelle and Harrison, MS Readathon isn’t something they just pick up in August - it’s been building for years. Maybelle has been fundraising since she was little, starting with collecting coins for different charities before joining her first MS Readathon at age six and raising $287. Since then, it’s grown every year, with bigger goals, more creative ideas and more people getting involved. By starting early - sometimes as far back as January - they’ve learned how much easier it is to build momentum instead of leaving everything to the last minute. 

One thing that’s made a big difference is how they turn fundraising into something ongoing and visible. In 2021, Maybelle launched “Maybelle’s Mission” and began sharing her progress more regularly, alongside running market stalls selling pre-loved books. Over time, she added raffles, adopt-a-book drives and even a home library out the front of their house using old fridges, making it easy for people to stop by, donate and get involved. People could see what she was doing and follow along, which naturally helped build support year after year. 

Their approach shows that you don’t need to do anything complicated to get started. It can be as simple as using what you already have - books you’ve outgrown, a small stall, or even collecting cans and bottles for recycling - and sharing it with your community. Over time, those small actions add up. Maybelle’s fundraising has grown from a few hundred dollars in her first year to thousands, with consistent effort and by keeping people engaged along the way. 

For new participants, their advice is clear: start early, keep it simple and let it grow. Whether it’s asking a few people to get you started, sharing updates as you go or trying one small idea like selling books, it all helps build momentum. As Maybelle’s journey shows, what starts small can grow into something really powerful over time.