Reading is an important part of Justin Morrow’s life. Whether it’s a book, magazine or newspaper, you can usually find the TFC defender in a hotel lobby somewhere in North America reading something.

This week Morrow launched a summer reading program at Nelson Mandela Park public school in Regent Park. Morrow will continue the program, visiting different schools on each of his off days in July.

“The book club is a chance to share my hobby, my passion with the kids,” said Morrow.

“I do a lot of reading in my off time. It’s a good message to send to the kids, to show them a different side of reading outside of the books that they might be reading in school.”

Morrow pointed to his own schooling as a reason why he decided to get involved in the Toronto community.

“(They focused) on the work we were doing in the community and not just the work we were doing for ourselves. For me education was important in my development and how I became a professional athlete. I wanted to share that message with the kids.”

The program will feature five books from different genres personally selected and provided to the kids by Justin. As for what Morrow is reading himself, it might not come as a surprise that it’s soccer related.

“I just finished Sir Alex Ferguson’s biography. Manchester United is the team I support and I love reading about his relationships with some of the more famous players.”