Imagine spending an entire day reading a book aloud—not just any book, but The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien—all to raise money for a cause close to your heart. That’s exactly what Allan Bearns, the owner of Erin’s Pub in St. John’s, Newfoundland, did last weekend, and it’s as inspiring as it is unconventional. But here’s where it gets even more compelling: Bearns didn’t just pick any day—he chose Tolkien’s birthday, adding a layer of symbolism to his already unique fundraiser. Why? Because Tolkien’s stories, he says, are all about humanity’s best qualities and the power of ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
Bearns’s goal was simple yet ambitious: read The Hobbit cover to cover in one sitting, no matter how long it took, to raise funds for The Gathering Place, a local organization supporting the city’s homeless population. And this is the part most people miss—Bearns isn’t just a pub owner with a quirky idea; he’s someone who’s personally experienced homelessness. During his time in Alberta, he spent months sleeping on friends’ couches or in utility trailers, giving him a firsthand understanding of the struggles faced by those without stable housing.
Homelessness in St. John’s has tripled in the last three years, a stark reminder of the growing crisis. Bearns sees The Gathering Place as a beacon of hope in this fight, and his fundraiser is his way of contributing to the solution. He raised over $1,292 by Sunday morning, proving that even the most unconventional ideas can make a meaningful impact.
But here’s the controversial part: while many applaud Bearns’s creativity, some might question whether a single fundraiser—no matter how heartfelt—is enough to address such a systemic issue. Is it fair to rely on individual efforts like this when larger, structural changes are needed? Bearns himself acknowledges the problem’s complexity, stating, ‘It’s a problem and there’s a lot of solutions that aren’t happening.’
His 11-hour reading marathon wasn’t just a test of endurance; it was a metaphor for the ‘impossible’ tasks people face every day, much like Bilbo Baggins’s journey in The Hobbit. By drawing parallels between Tolkien’s themes of camaraderie and adventure and the real-world challenges of homelessness, Bearns invites us to think deeper about our role in creating change.
So, here’s the question for you: Do you think individual acts of kindness like Bearns’s are enough to tackle homelessness, or is it time for a more systemic approach? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep this conversation going.
