CRC ministry spreads Anthony's prayers

The Christian Reformed Church is spreading the word about Anthony's book through its Disability Concerns office. Mark Stephenson, director of the ministry, recently purchased 180 copies of "Anthony's Prayers" to distribute to its supporters.

Stephenson has been using the book to help lead prayer in various settings, according to a story by Chris Meehan on the CRC website. Stephenson praised Anthony's "heartfelt thankfulness," despite his past difficulties, in the book of prayers and poignant photos.

"We will be giving it away to churches that receive offerings for our ministry with the encouragement that they put it in their church library for people to check out," Stephenson says in the story.

Anthony's book is now also being carried by Baker Book House at 2768 E. Paris Ave. SE.

We who have known and supported Anthony are grateful to see how his inspirational words continue to reach more readers and touch new hearts.

Anthony's Interview

Michelle Patterson, a New York-based writer, interviewed Anthony today for a book she is writing about Pennhurst, a Pennsylvania institution similar to Willowbrook, where he was abused as a child. Michelle learned about Anthony and his book during her research and posted an entry about him on her blog. You can read it here: http://www.thewriterplace.com/

Anthony's Prayers Continues to Spread

The inspiration from Anthony's Prayers continues to spread and now has reached the place where he faced his greatest spiritual challenge. The Staten Island Advance on Friday ran a story about his book. The Advance in 1972 broke the story about the abuse and mistreatment of children in the Willowbrook State School on Staten Island. Anthony, as a boy, was a resident of that school in the mid-1960s - “One thousand twenty seven days of my life,” he later wrote - and was severely abused and deprived while living there. The Advance story said the book "features poetic excerpts from Torrone’s writings and photographs of his daily life, his friends and church, and his many remarkable Lego creations." The story already has prompted more orders for the book.

One New York reader emailed Anthony the following: "I consider you to be an extremely inspirational and strong individual, and I will be proud to own a copy of something that you created. As an occupational therapist, I hope to advocate for and with people just like you, and to help the rest of the community realize the wealth of talent that is so often hidden behind stereotypes and labels. Thank you for sharing your story, and I cannot wait to share it with friends and colleagues."

Happy Happy Holidays!

"God bless us, everyone!" exclaimed Tiny Tim in Charles Dickens', A Christmas Carol.

And so we extend our heart-felt gratitude to the many friends and neighbors of Anthony Torrone who raised money to pay for his first print run of Anthony's Prayers: Thank You Father for Everlasting,

to the businesses in Anthony's neighborhood who sold hundreds of copies: Frank's Market, The Bitter End Coffeehouse, Nawara Brothers, Carol's Hair, The Other Way Ministries, and Servant's Community Church (see right side bar for contact information and directions),

to Schuler Books and Music for hosting Anthony's book signing and for selling hundreds of copies of his books and donating their commission back to Anthony's Trust.

Thank you. You have helped make a very special man's dream come true. And what better gift at Christmas.

Best wishes for a wonderful 2012.

~Charles Honey, Laura Hughes, Ken Postema, Pat Shellenbarger, Lance Wynn

More books available

Pick up from Great Lakes Bindery

Packing boxes for local deliveries

Several stores in Grand Rapids have again been stocked with copies of Anthony's book hot off the presses at Color House Graphics. The first printing sold out quickly. On Wednesday, we delivered more copies to the Schuler's Books & Music stores on 28th Street, Alpine Avenue and Fountain Street downtown, as well as to Frank's Market, The Bitter End coffeehouse and Nawara Brothers hardware on West Fulton Street. More copies will be ready soon if those sell out, so keep checking here for updates.

Anthony is Front Page News!

Published author. Sell out at a recent book signing. And now: front page of The Grand Rapids Press.

Congratulations, Anthony!

You can read Tom Rademacher's Mlive story here. And see more photos by Press photographer Rex Larsen and others here.

Books are available on the West Side at Frank's Market, The Bitter End Coffeehouse, Carol's Hair, Nawara Brothers, and The Other Way Ministries. (See the side panel for directions.)

Books will be available at three local Schuler Books and Music stores mid-week.

Book-signing packs Alpine Schuler's

Today was a remarkable testament to how many people Anthony's sweet spirit has touched over the years. Dozens of friends lined up in Schuler Books & Music on Alpine Avenue NW to get autographed copies of his book. The store sold out of more than 100 copies. Another batch will be printed ASAP to meet demand and shipped to stores by mid-week.

Many were current or former neighbors who held fond memories of Anthony. One was a young woman who met him when she worked as a school safety. Another was a childhood playmate. Another was a neighbor whose bottles and cans Anthony faithfully collects and redeems.

"This is his dream," said Marianne Mallekoote, who met him in a Bible study about 10 years ago. "He'd call us every day: 'I want my book published!' He's wonderful. We love him to pieces."

Some dabbed tears as they watched Anthony sign copy after copy in his careful, painstaking script.

"This has meant so much to him, and to all of us," said Linda Mroz, whose children once played with Anthony. "It's just been a joy."

So far more than 300 copies of "Anthony's Prayers" have been sold with very little publicity. A story on his book by Tom Rademacher is due out any day in The Grand Rapid Press, which should generate even more interest.