Three local students are helping spread the joy of reading throughout the community after organizing a summer book drive that collected more than 600 books and 60 stuffed animals for Friends of the Folsom Library.
The community service project was organized by members of the Smart Start Tutoring Club during the summer of 2026. Swasti Raizada, Aayan Padhi and Srijan Roy led the student-driven effort, encouraging neighbors, classmates and local families to donate gently used books and stuffed animals to support literacy programs and young readers in Folsom.
The students launched the drive after recognizing the important role Friends of the Folsom Library plays in supporting programs, services and outreach at the Folsom Public Library. Their goal was to help strengthen those efforts while encouraging a love of reading among children of all ages.
Community members responded enthusiastically to the campaign, helping the students exceed their expectations. By the end of the drive, more than 600 books covering a variety of genres and reading levels had been collected, along with 60 stuffed animals that will provide comfort and encouragement to young readers.
“We wanted to do something that would really help our community, especially kids who love to read,” said Swasti Raizada. “Books open up so many doors, and we’re glad we could contribute to that in Folsom.”
All of the donated books and stuffed animals will benefit Friends of the Folsom Library, the nonprofit organization that supports library programming, literacy initiatives and community outreach through fundraising efforts, book sales and donations.
The Smart Start Tutoring Club focuses on peer tutoring, mentorship and encouraging students to take on projects that positively impact their community. Beyond academic support, the club emphasizes leadership, volunteerism and service, giving students opportunities to identify local needs and work together to address them.
Organizers said they hope the success of this year’s book drive encourages more students throughout the community to develop service projects of their own and discover how even small efforts can make a meaningful difference.
The donation drive also highlights the growing role local youth are playing in community service across Folsom, demonstrating how student-led initiatives can support organizations that provide educational resources and opportunities for residents year-round.
For Friends of the Folsom Library, the donations will help further its mission of supporting library programs while putting more books into the hands of readers throughout the community.
Copyright © 2026, Folsom Times, a digital product of All Town Media LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.:
