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HSS-led book fair expands access to reading for Peoria students
Sixth-year initiative brings affordable books and community support to underserved school
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Staff Reporter - Sat, 02, May 2026
- 15:13 EDT
- 22
Book Fair at Trewyn School in Peoria / Courtesy-Mandar Pattekar
A community-led book fair spearheaded by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) is helping expand access to reading for hundreds of students at Trewyn School in Peoria, marking the sixth year of a growing literacy initiative.
Organized in partnership with the Hindu Temple of Central Illinois, the three-day event held from April 22 focused on making books both affordable and accessible for children from underserved backgrounds. Trewyn School serves a predominantly low-income community, with a large percentage of students from minority families, making initiatives like the book fair a key resource for early literacy.
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Students from kindergarten through eighth grade visited the school library in groups, browsing a wide selection of books with guidance from teachers and volunteers. Younger children received additional support in selecting age-appropriate titles, turning the experience into both a learning opportunity and a confidence-building exercise.
Books were priced between 25 cents and $3, ensuring affordability. Students enrolled in the HSS reading program received $1 gift certificates, allowing them to take home multiple books, while other students were also incentivized through similar rewards.
The initiative extended support to faculty as well, with teachers receiving $10 book fair gift vouchers to expand classroom libraries. Organizers said this year’s effort helped add close to 100 new books for classroom use, strengthening long-term learning resources within the school.
Backed by community contributions, the program raised approximately $5,000, enabling the purchase of over 1,000 books. In total, 876 books were distributed to students and classrooms, with around 375 students participating directly. The fair also generated additional funds for the school.
The effort drew support from about 100 donors, including HSS volunteers from across the country, and was powered by 25 volunteers who contributed over 60 hours. Notably, volunteers came from diverse faith backgrounds, reflecting a broader community collaboration around education and literacy.
Organizers emphasized that beyond the numbers, the initiative is about fostering a love for reading and building confidence among young learners. For many students, the fair offered a rare opportunity to own new books and engage with reading in a meaningful way.
As the program continues to grow, HSS volunteers say their goal remains consistent: to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has access to books and the opportunity to discover the transformative power of reading.
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