• Alice Klingman, an 11-year-old sixth grader, led the Read & Rise book drive, collecting over 1,000 books.
• The book drive culminated in a distribution event at the International Cultural Festival on Global Youth Service Day.
• Projekt NYC supported the initiative, highlighting the impact of middle schoolers in community service.

Alice Klingman, a sixth-grade student at IS 141, spearheaded Read & Rise, a children's book drive initiative. The project involved mobilizing volunteers, collecting over 1,000 books, and distributing them at the 2025 International Cultural Festival on April 27th, which coincided with Global Youth Service Day. Books were also donated to Little Free Libraries and family shelters across the city. The initiative aimed to promote literacy and provide children with access to books, with support from Projekt NYC and funding from the Hershey Foundation and Youth Service America.

• What: Alice Klingman, a sixth-grade student, launched and led a children's book drive called Read & Rise.
• Who: Alice Klingman, Projekt NYC, volunteers, local families, the Hershey Foundation, Youth Service America, Central Astoria LDC, students from PS 2, PS 70, PS 84, IS 141, and Alice’s youth basketball league at Immaculate Conception in Astoria.
• When: The book drive took place over the month of April 2025, with the distribution event on Sunday, April 27, 2025, coinciding with Global Youth Service Day.
• Where: Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Corona, and Maspeth (distribution to Little Free Libraries); Brooklyn (donation to family shelters); Long Island, New York City, and internationally (donation to The Book Fairies).

The news article highlights the initiative of a young student, Alice Klingman, in promoting literacy through her book drive. The success of Read & Rise underscores the potential of youth-led projects and the importance of community support. The involvement of organizations like Projekt NYC and funding from the Hershey Foundation and Youth Service America demonstrates the collaborative effort required to make such initiatives successful. The distribution of books to various locations, including Little Free Libraries and family shelters, ensures a wide reach and impact on the community.

I believe every kid should have books at home so they can read whenever they want. Books help us do better at school, and I hope kids who got books from us will feel that way too. I’m so grateful for everyone who helped.

Alice didn’t just start a book drive, she built a movement. This was a team effort, but it was Alice’s vision and leadership that made Read & Rise happen. She’s shown that middle schoolers can make a real difference when given the tools and encouragement to lead and we are grateful for the outpouring of support she received from the Astoria community.

Alice Klingman's Read & Rise book drive successfully collected and distributed over 1,000 books, promoting literacy and community engagement. The initiative, supported by Projekt NYC and funded by the Hershey Foundation and Youth Service America, demonstrates the impact of youth-led projects and collaborative efforts in addressing community needs. The success of the project serves as an inspiration for future youth-led service initiatives.