Frank Amorozo got the idea from a story he saw on television. An organization on the Mainland gathered donations of children's books to give to kids at homeless shelters. The story resonated with the 79-year-old father of eight and grandfather of 20. He started buying books.

"I have in my possession about 700 to 900 children's books that I bid for and bought last fall on eBay," Amorozo said. For three months while his wife was away, he was busy online finding quality used books. Most he bought for less than a dollar, but with the cost of shipping, he estimates he spent around a thousand dollars on the cache. He intended to bring the books to the Thanksgiving luncheon for homeless people at the Blaisdell Center, but the books didn't arrive in time. Once his purchases did start coming in, he didn't know where to put them.

"I soon found that storage was a problem, since we live in a two-bedroom townhouse," he said. "Some of the books are stored in my daughter's garage in Mililani and many are stored in our living room and hallways."

So now he's looking for help and praying for ideas. "Every morning, I ask God's help in finding a new plan to distribute these books."

The concept of giving an underprivileged child a tool for learning appeals to him. It makes him think of the times his own children got a hand up.

"Two of our children were given the opportunity to attend free computer classes at Chaminade college when they were in high school," he said. "It made a tremendous impact on their lives."

Amorozo wants to find an organization that will help distribute his books; but more than that, he doesn't want this to be a one-shot thing. He would like to see a program established like the one he saw on television where people could donate books or money to purchase books for Hawai'i's homeless children.

"I feel sure that if the ball starts to roll, someone will donate a space to store books and people will donate their time to package them for distribution," he said.

If he can't interest an organization in his vision, Amorozo says he'll donate the books to a nonprofit that serves children, "and during my morning prayers say to God, 'I tried.' "

"If even one child succeeds in life and is able to give back to his or her community because we care, then Hawai'i will be a better place," he said.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.