Past Events

Children reading background

Past Events

Baltimore, MD

DATE: Wednesday, September 11, 2024 EVENT NAME: Glenmount Elementary School Back-to-School Resource Fair DESCRIPTION:

Thanks to a generous book grant from the Baltimore Community Foundation, Our Kids Read will bring over 500 books to the Glenmount Elementary School Back-to-School Fair. In addition, students will have the opportunity to sign up for the Our Kids Read evening remote Reading Buddies program.

Glenmount Event

Bronx, NY

DATE: Thursday, August 15, 2024 EVENT NAME: Yankee Stadium x Scholastic Back to School Resource Fair DESCRIPTION:

Our Kids Read and the NYC Public Schools District 9 and the New York Yankees teamed up for a 2024 Back-to-School Resource Fair. Thanks to a generous gift from Scholastic, over 4,000 books were distributed to students in largely underserved communities of New York City.

Yankee Stadium Event

Dallas, TX

DATE: Saturday, August 10, 2024 EVENT NAME: ARCO and Our Kids Read Free Book Festival DESCRIPTION:

Our Kids Read partnered with Activating Reading Communities Organization (ARCO) to give away culturally responsive books and bring storytellers to the children of Dallas, TX! Special thanks to the Oak Cliff Cultural Center for hosting this event and thanks to the City of Dallas for sponsoring the storytellers at the event through the Community Artist Program (CAP).

Dallas Event

Pittsburgh, PA

DATE: Friday, July 26, 2024 EVENT NAME: Jasmine Nyree Center Pittsburgh Summer Literacy Celebration DESCRIPTION:

Excited to partner with Erie Insurance, our newest corporate partner, to deliver over 500 books to the K-5th grade students at the Jasmin Nyree community center in Pittsburgh, PA. Students will receive three free books each and will be entertained by storytelling and West African drumming.

Pittsburgh Event

Harlem, NY

DATE: Friday, July 20, 2024 EVENT NAME: Annual OKR Harlem "Pop-up in the Park" DESCRIPTION:

Every year, Our Kids Read brings 1,000 books and sets up shop in Thomas Jefferson Park on 111th street during the month of July to get diverse books in the NYC community!

Each year, our key NYC partner, Verizon SOMOS (Verizon's Hispanic Employee affinity group and OKR's oldest NYC supporter), brings volunteers and great energy to this fantastic book giveaway. Special thanks to all off the storytellers who performed this year!

Harlem Event

Detroit, MI

DATE: Thursday, June 15, 2024 EVENT NAME: Detroit Community Resource and Literacy JUNETEENTH Celebration - Ford Fund (FREC) DESCRIPTION:

Our Kids Read is partnering for the 2nd consecutive year with the Ford Motor Company Resource and Engagement Center (FREC) Detroit! OKR will bring books and storytellers to the June 15th event. Children will also be invited to participate in the Our Kids Read evening remote virtual Reading Buddies program.

Detroit Event

Princeton, NJ

DATE: Thursday, May 25, 2024 EVENT NAME: Princeton Reunions Class of 1979 Literacy Service Event DESCRIPTION:

Our Kids Read, in partnership with the Princeton University Class of 1979 and the Association of Princeton Graduate Alumni (APGA) brought a Free Book Festival to the 2024 Princeton Reunions!

As part of this year's 2024 Princeton Reunions, Our Kids Read partnered with the Class of 1979 and the APGA to bring a group of 5th graders from a local Trenton elementary school for a day of literacy and mentorship. The Class of '79 service event featured events at Firestone Library, a campus tour, storytelling and, of course, FREE BOOKS for every student!

Princeton 2024 Event

Beaverton, OR

DATE: Thursday, September 21, 2023 EVENT NAME: Boise Eliot Elementary School x Our Kids Read x Nike Literacy Event DESCRIPTION:

In partnership with Boise-Eliot Elementary School, a Portland public school, and Nike, we brought 42 student to Nike Global HQ in Beaverton, OR. Nike executive leaders read with the students and West African drummer and storyteller Yaw Amponsah held students entranced with stories of Anansi the spider.

Nike Event

Princeton, NJ

DATE: Thursday, May 25, 2023 EVENT NAME: Princeton Reunions Class of 1998 Literacy Service Event DESCRIPTION:

Our Kids Read, in partnership with the Princeton University Class of 1998 brought a Free Book Festival to the 2024 Princeton Reunions!

As part of this year's 2024 Princeton Reunions, Our Kids Read partnered with the Class of 1998 to bring a group of 5th graders from a local Trenton elementary school (Foundation Academies) for a day of literacy and mentorship. The Class of '98 service event featured events at Firestone Library, a campus tour, storytelling and, of course, FREE BOOKS for every student!

Princeton 2023 Event

Seattle, WA

DATE: Friday, February 25, 2022 EVENT NAME: OKR x Seattle Children's Hospital Free Book Festival DESCRIPTION:

Our Kids Read and the Seattle Children's Hospital (SCH) combined forces to get diverse books into the Seattle Community!

Our Kids Read brought storytelling, face painting and, of course, FREE BOOKS!

Seattle Event