Shane Herman is the founder and CEO of Let's Get Booking. Shane had the idea for Let's Get Booking as a 10-year-old 6th grader in March 2018. He was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was 8 years old. In his free time, he plays baseball, video games, and loves reading to his dog Charlie. His favorite book is Papi by David Ortiz. His idea for Let's Get Booking started when he noticed other students with dyslexia having the same issues in school as he did: low confidence and refusing to read aloud. In Shane's own experience reading to seniors, he left with a ton of confidence, kind words of encouragement, and new friends in his community.
I've been struggling with reading for years. Having dyslexia or any learning disability makes school much more difficult and affects your confidence. It also has a big impact on your family. My parents spent years and thousands of dollars in therapy and testing trying to get me the help I need. Studies show that as many as 1 in 5 people are dyslexic — one problem is that many of them don't know it, and only find out after searching for help when their kids start struggling in school. I wanted to do something to help kids and their families — to provide FREE help to families, regardless of where they live, their financial situation, and how far along they are in their journey. In March 2018, Let's Get Booking was selected as one of 8 winners of The Palm Beach Philanthropy Tank. John F. Scarpa, one of the Founders of the Cellular One Network, became the lead investor. My goal is to help make it much easier for others struggling with reading and learning disabilities to get the help they need. — Shane Herman, Founder
Originally named 'Read With Me,' Let's Get Booking was selected as the youngest of 8 winning teams in the 2018 Palm Beach Philanthropy Tank. Shane and Nestor Flores overcame their own challenges and low self-confidence to win a $9,000 investment from John F. Scarpa (a Founder of the Cellular One Network) and $1,000 from Rick Stone — presenting in front of a live audience of more than 300 people.
"I am writing to congratulate you on your wonderful presentation at the Philanthropy Tank Finals of Let's Get Booking. Your program to work with dyslexic young men and women, to help them become better readers, will be a life changer for each of them."
John F. Scarpa
Co-Founder, Cellular One Network — Lead Investor, Let's Get Booking
Mr. Scarpa is the principal investor in Let's Get Booking. He is currently an investor and has been an entrepreneur in the cable television and cellular telephone communications industries — co-founder, president, and COO of American Cellular Network Corporation (NASDAQ), and co-founder of Unitel Wireless Communications Systems, one of the original members of the Cellular One Network. Through the John F. Scarpa Foundation, he supports education, healthcare, and disadvantaged families, and is the principal benefactor for the Frank and Edith Scarpa Regional Cancer Center at Inspira Health Network in Vineland, NJ. He serves on the boards of the Town of Palm Beach United Way, The Civic Association of Palm Beach, and NECO (The National Ethnic Coalition Organization NYC), and is President of the Palm Beach Police Foundation. He holds honorary doctorate degrees from the American University of Rome, Italy, and Villanova Law School, where he established the John F. Scarpa Chair in Catholic Legal Studies.