May 22, 2026 By Garrett Neese 4 min read

Each year, the books packed away in boxes at Acrisure Stadium go on to make a difference in children’s lives, either in a classroom or as summer reading in their own homes.

Organizations in Fayette County joined other agencies from around the region last week to pick up 40,000 books for kids at the eighth annual Big Book Drop, which took place May 12-14.

Put on by the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the annual event is aimed at getting books into the hands of children before they go home for summer break, which can help them maintain their reading skills while school’s out.

“We know that children who are reading at grade level by third grade have a much higher likelihood of success and of graduating from high school than those who aren’t,” said Wendy Koch, senior director of engagement for United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. “And so our goal is to make sure every child, regardless of their family’s ability to purchase them books, have books within their home that they can read and develop that love of reading.”

Agencies request how many books they need ahead of time, which ranged from 250 to 1,200, said United Way media relations and storytelling associate Emma Martin.

Volunteers fill the orders from tables in the stadium stacked with books for different age groups.

Those books go out to not only agencies already funded with United Way, but schools, libraries, and early childhood centers.

“We really look to our community impact partners who are in the community working with these agencies to know who else beyond just the nonprofits we traditionally fund might have a need for books,” she said.

In Fayette County, books were given to East End United Community Center of Uniontown, Our Buddy’s Place Child Care and Pre-K in Scottdale, Crayon Clubhouse in Connellsville, Pinky Toes Child Development Center in Connellsville, Uniontown Area School District, Brownsville Area School District, Laurel Highlands School District and Connellsville School District.

East End United picked their 250 books up on May 14, said after-school program director Tessa Lynn.

For a community center in a low-income area, especially at a time when reading scores are down, the books provide a great opportunity to get kids excited about reading, Lynn said.

“Anytime we can give the kids a free resource like that, it’s always gonna be great for the kids, especially when it’s something that they’re gonna enjoy doing,” she said. “It’s not like the assigned books from the school. We spread them out and let the kids pick books that they were interested in.”

Lynn cited one of her English as a second language students, who picked out a “Little Red Riding Hood” with text in both English and Spanish that she “absolutely loved,” Lynn said.

The 350 books picked out by Crayon Clubhouse go home with kids, and also get incorporated into the center’s classroom plans or added to its little free library, said office manager Julie Hough.

Teachers will use the books to match up with themes in their classes, Hough said. A book about a fire truck can be a springboard for lessons about community helpers.

Hough also appreciated the multicultural books, which she said have been great to incorporate into the classrooms.

“There was one about a little boy whose dad was in the Army, and we have a child whose family member is deployed, so that kind of related to that child,” she said. “We’re able to be a little bit more specific, because there’s such a big variety, the brand-new, gorgeous books. It’s amazing what they do.”

Koch said they get advice on what to buy from members of the United Way team who work with children and youth. They look for books with a focus on STEM learning, inclusion or social and emotional health.

“We really want these books to be educational and also to be fun to read,” Koch said.