Lena Jalonda Smith became involved with the Falkville (Ala.) Elementary School RIF Program when her best friend asked her to volunteer in 2002. She fell in love with the idea of putting new books in every child's home, and in 2005 became the RIF Coordinator for Falkville.

Smith's volunteer work includes helping with art in the classrooms, science labs, fundraisers, and Read-A-Thons; teaching Sunday school; creating and printing bulletins at church; directing Bible school; and making Christmas book ornaments in the library. She has joked at times that she needs a shirt that says "Just Say No" on the front and "To Volunteering" on the back. When asked why she does so much volunteer work, she responds, "It's for the kids!"

In 2007, she received the Volunteer Center President's Award from the Volunteer Center of Morgan County in Decatur, Ala.

She graduated from Hartselle High School in 1990, and is married to Matthew Smith. They live on a poultry farm with their two children: Heather Rose, 14 and Galen, 11, both of whom share her love of books and are avid readers.

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