Ten-year-old inspired to start book drive

Ten-year-old Preston Sundermeier was watching the television show "Oprah's Big Give" in April when he was inspired to find his own way to give back to his community.

With his mother, Marnie Sundermeier, working on the YWCA board of directors, he came up with a plan to do a children's book drive benefiting the YWCA. Initially, Preston wanted to just go out and buy the nonprofit organization some books.

But when he relayed the idea to his mother, she said he could do the drive as long as he raised the money, books and materials all through donations, just like the volunteers on "Oprah's Big Give."

Preston decided to go for it.

"I think it's awesome," Marnie Sundermeier said of her son's efforts. "He has always liked to read, so I think it's neat that he wants to give books to other kids so they can have that involvement as well."

To start, Preston went to area businesses to ask owners and managers if they would become a book drive drop-off site. While his mother helped make some of the appointments and did the driving, Preston did the talking himself.

Eakes Office Plus donated large boxes, which have been decorated and placed in almost two dozen area businesses and organizations.

The book drive began May 1 and lasts through the end of the month. So far, Preston has collected close to 500 new and gently used books for children ages 18 months to sixth grade. When the drive is finished, he hopes to have gathered twice that many.

He's also taking donations to help pay for book drive advertisements and possibly some new books from Waldenbooks, which has offered him a discount. So far, he has collected more than $500.

In addition to collecting books, Preston and his grandfather have plans to build bookshelves to house them all. The shelves will likely be placed in the YWCA's various child care center rooms, said Jennifer Larson, executive director of the YWCA.

Larson said she has been impressed by Preston and his project.

"I think that's quite a feat for a 10-year-old," Larson said. "I mean, he came up with this himself."

Preston likely learned the importance of philanthropy from his parents' example, Larson said.

In the end, Preston said he hopes to help others learn to read and gain a love for books.

"I like to do the projects to help my community," Preston said. "And when I get done doing the projects, it makes me feel really good that I helped like that."