Cody Deaner gives back with "Read With a Wrestler"

Cody Deaner then read a few books to the children. He read "Dino Wrestling" by Lisa Wheeler and then "Jungle Drums" by Graeme Base.

The kids asked Cody about his wrestling career and his childhood dream.

"I wanted them to have the chance to ask me any questions they wanted. They had some really good ones. It gave me a chance to stress to them that it is important to stay in school. I got two degrees during my first five years in wrestling as a backup plan in case wrestling didn't work out," Cody said. "I wanted to make sure they knew it is important to stay in school and work hard at whatever dream you might have."

After reading "Jungle Drums," Cody played some bongo drums for the kids and let them take turns playing them.

"Music is a passion in my life along with wrestling," Cody said. "So I got a chance to share that passion with them too." (Cody's CD with "Cody Deaner & the Deaner Dynasty Band" can be purchased here.)

On Wednesday June 30th, 2014, Cody Deaner visited  a local library to take part in a summer reading program put on by the Coldstream Library.

The "Read With a Wrestler" event began with Cody introducing himself to the children and stressing the importance of never giving up on your dreams.

"I wanted the kids to know that they can be whatever they want to be in life," Cody said. "Since the age of five all I ever wanted to do was be a professional wrestler. And, I did it. I wanted the five year old children in that room to know that they can achieve their dreams too."

The "Read With a Wrestler" event ended with a snack and a craft where the kids got to make their own colorful cutout of a wrestler.

"The day ended with a bang. They all wanted to feel my muscles and play the drums," Cody laughed. "So, I had them get in line and they took turns playing the bongos with me and comparing their muscle size to mine. <laughs> Let me tell you, we might have some future wrestling stars on our hands! Some of those kids had some pipes!"

The Coldstream Library showed their appreciation to Cody by giving him a small gift, as well as a copy of "Dino Wrestling," signed personally by all the children.

"The gift and book signed by the children was really sweet. But, I didn't do it for that. I wanted to volunteer my time to give these kids something memorable. And again, to teach them that they can be whatever they want to be when they grow up. The whole experience was awesome. I'd do it again in a heartbeat."