3,200 Books and 1 High School Student by Samantha Carlson - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ NOVEMBER ►
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 01 02 03 04 05
View Events
Submit Events
directory

3,200 Books and 1 High School Student

By Samantha Carlson , Community Writer
March 26, 2014 at 01:52pm. Views: 88

Some may say that one person may not make a difference in the world, but 16-year-old Redlands High School Junior Anant Pai proved this wrong by collecting 3,200 books from his local community to give to underprivileged students in a span of only 5 weeks. Pai was inspired to give back to the community after coming across the Inland Empire Children’s Book Project started by rotary members in San Bernardino. The Book Project is based on a model in Northern California that collects books and re-distributes them to underprivileged kids in the area. The official opening day of the Inland Empire Children's Book Project is in August. Pai states, “As I explored more, I became aware that growing up in Redlands, I wasn’t exposed to poverty in areas like San Bernardino and India, and I thought a book drive would contribute to illiteracy and contribute to a bigger cause. I’ve been thinking about it for awhile and I figured people would be willing to help. Everyone was really supportive, the club members, teachers, and school adviser, Mary Bruton.” Pai continued, “My grandfather inspires me, because he lived in India, he was the Director of the International Rotary, he wanted to help people with problems, and he became successful after starting the Manipal Institute of Technology. He aimed to help other people who were impoverished through his actions in Rotary.” Pai started the Southern California Chapter of Cultures for Youth at his high school, a club based on a non-profit high school group that was began in 2005 by a high school student in Illinois. The Redlands High School branch currently has 50-60 members; 25-30 who are active. Pai says, “Cultures for Youth deals with promoting cultural presentation and volunteer activities on subjects from Buddhism, Chinese New Year, Bollywood, and Judaism,” the goal is to raise cultural awareness in the community. Pai and the Cultures for Youth club organized a book drive at the end of January that continued through February 28th. In that period, they gathered 3,200 books from the surrounding community. At school, he sent emails to teachers and asking classes to help donate books; he put a donation bag in each classroom. As an incentive, the class who gathered the most books would receive a pizza party sponsored by the club. All together 1,400 books were donated during the school book drive. In the community, Pai sent out emails and spoke to family and friends about donating books that were sitting on shelves gathering dust. He picked the books up from people’s homes or had the books dropped off at his home. Pai’s mother, Anita Pai shared, “I’m proud of him and we’re supportive of him, we help him. I’m really happy he can handle everything, all the family and friends have been helping, he has great support.” She said, “he’s doing a great job, so far, he started a club, now this book project. I think what opened his eyes is he worked in an orphanage in India. He got to work with kids, and he asked them at Christmas time what did they want? These kids are not exposed to anything and only go out once a month on an outing.” Pai and his club members are getting ready to hold presentations on Native American Cultures, and the Religion of Islam. Pai says, “there is so much I want to do and so much I want to accomplish.” The donated books Pai collected from the community will be assisting the Inland Empire Children’s Book Project and will be going to underprivileged schools through San Bernardino.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: Grand Terrace Woman's Club

By Hattie Strong, Community Writer

November 13, 2026 at 04:48pm. Views: 142

Join the celebration on Sunday, November 15, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Richard Rollins Community Park. Come play, have fun, win prizes and help celebrate 48 years of Grand Terrace!

Photo Courtesy of: BBOP Center

By Justus Baker-Postell, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:19am. Views: 660

BBOP Information Session The Black and Brown Opportunities for Profit (BBOP) Center, an Inland Empire economic and workforce development hub and a project of Time for Change Foundation, has launched Pathways to Prosperity, its Employment Training Pathway Program (ETPP), a comprehensive workforce initiative designed to connect residents facing barriers to employment with the skills, credentials, hands-on experience and employer relationships needed to enter and advance in high-demand careers.

Photo Courtesy of: San Bernardino's California Theatre from 1930

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:19am. Views: 458

Nearly a century after opening its doors, the downtown landmark remains an important connection between the city's entertainment history and its cultural future. In downtown San Bernardino, the California Theatre of the Performing Arts stands as a reminder of a time when attending a movie or live performance was one of the most anticipated social occasions in a growing Southern California city.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:19am. Views: 430

With winter approaching, emergency officials are coordinating flood prevention, roadway maintenance and public alerts to help residents prepare for dangerous weather. A heavy rainstorm can change the landscape of San Bernardino in a matter of hours. Streets that ordinarily carry commuters and school buses can become difficult to navigate, drainage channels can fill rapidly, and neighborhoods near foothills may face increased risks from flooding and debris.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:19am. Views: 414

A sweeping decision involving California's most serious criminal sentences has drawn strong opposition from San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson, placing the county's chief prosecutor at the center of a statewide debate over justice, victims' rights and executive authority.

Photo Courtesy of: West Valley Water District

By Socorro Pantaleon, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:14am. Views: 311

Group photos of WVWD Board Members and winning students of the 2026 Poster Contest

Photo Courtesy of: CalKIDS

By Justus Baker-Postell, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:13am. Views: 498

During National Scholarship Month, families are encouraged to check their eligibility for scholarships supporting college and career training.

Photo Courtesy of: Khouri Evans-Dangerfield

By Mike Hoover. President, Inland Empire Civil War Round Table, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:18am. Views: 316

University of Redlands student Khouri Evans-Dangerfield will examine slavery, constitutional law and the decisions that divided a nation during a free November 15 presentation at A.K. Smiley Public Library.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By William Cortez, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:18am. Views: 317

November 11 screening of acclaimed film “All We Imagine as Light” invites students and community members to experience international cinema and discussion. Films can transport audiences to places they have never visited, introduce them to unfamiliar experiences and encourage them to consider how people in different parts of the world navigate relationships, work and personal challenges.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Willam Cortez, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:18am. Views: 326

A decision announced in Sacramento could change the sentences of hundreds of California prisoners, bringing renewed attention to the death penalty and the future of criminal punishment across the state. Governor Gavin Newsom announced November 5 that he intends to commute the death sentences of all 548 people currently sentenced to death in California.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:18am. Views: 380

November 21 event at Olive Avenue Market will introduce residents to drought-tolerant landscaping, city rebates and the benefits of native plants. A beautiful garden does not have to depend on a large lawn or plants that require frequent watering.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

November 11, 2026 at 08:17am. Views: 261

A school announcement can contain information that changes a family's entire afternoon. A reminder about an upcoming meeting, a schedule adjustment or a message from a teacher may determine when a parent leaves work, arranges transportation or helps a child prepare for the next school day.

--> -->