TLRN highlights Dr. Shilpa Thaker & Aarti Patel’s Book Fundraiser for Las Vegas Children
Since 2020, Las Vegas Books for Kinder has been powered by the dedication of board member Dr. Shilpa Thaker, project leader Aarti Patel, and a growing network of supporters committed to advancing early literacy. Aarti first joined us as a student ambassador, writing words of encouragement to include inside brand-new books for children. Through this experience, she and her mother learned about the challenges many Las Vegas students face—limited access to books, having heard fewer words before entering school, and early reading gaps that can shape long-term academic outcomes. Under Dr. Thaker’s leadership, our team has helped distribute thousands of books to schools across the city, igniting curiosity, confidence, and a love for reading among young learners.
Dr. Thaker and Aarti Patel have recognized the importance of providing books and meaningful community support for the students who need it most. They have made a strong commitment to our mission—raising funds, expanding access to literacy resources, and ensuring classrooms are equipped with high-quality materials that inspire young readers. Through this project, Dr. Thaker and Aarti Patel have built strong relationships with school leaders such as Dr. Theresa Corry at Walter V. Long Elementary School and Paola Zepher at Lake Elementary School, both of whom have shared how vital this work is in giving their students the gift of reading and a community that believes in their future.
Dr. Shilpa Thaker, TLRN Board Member:
“The Clark County School District (CCSD) in Nevada is the fifth-largest school district in the United States by enrollment. We have over 18,000 Kindergarteners in Title 1 schools. Literacy in early childhood lays the foundation for every academic skill that follows, making kindergarten a critical moment for building lifelong learning. Our goal is to provide a new books to every single one of these kindergartners. We want to empower families, strengthens early reading skills, and ensures every child—regardless of income—has an equitable start to their education and success.”
Aarti Patel, TLRN Student Literacy Leader:
“Equitable education, I believe, is one of the most important goals to strive for in every community. Every student, starting from a young age deserves access to good quality books, not only to improve their literacy skills, but also to feel connected to one another. Leaders Readers Network, and the donations that fund this nonprofit organization help students connect through the gift of reading. As I have grown up in Vegas, I have had the opportunity to read new books, excitedly ready to take them home and show my parents. This privilege is what drives me to make sure every kid in this community has the same opportunities to learn and grow to their fullest potential.”
Dr. Theresa Corry, Walter V. Long Elementary School:
“Imagine a new book in the hand of every kindergarten student in the entire Clark county school district! This district has so many low income families who rarely have money to spend on food and shelter, let alone money to buy a new book for their budding kindergarten child. What an incredible way to celebrate world read allowed Day than ensuring each kindergarten hears an engaging book written exactly for their level. Then, each kindergartener gets to take that very book home to share with their families. What a wonderful gift of literacy you could be a part of!”
This giving season, we’ve set an ambitious goal: to reach every kindergarten student in Las Vegas for World Read Aloud Day on February 4th, 2026. And this is where you can make a difference. 18,000 kindergarteners are counting on us. As we partner with the Clark County School District to ensure every classroom receives brand-new books and high-quality literacy resources that support early reading success, we invite you to sponsor a classroom and help bring the joy of reading to young learners across our community.
Your contribution directly supports Las Vegas educators, classrooms, and kindergarten students who need it most. Together, we can change literacy outcomes—one book at a time.
➡️ Donate today: Link to Las Vegas fundraiser
Spread the word: Share this flyer to help us achieve our donation goal and reach even more classrooms!
About Us
The Leaders Readers Network (TLRN) is an award-winning 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in Canyon, Texas. Its mission is to create a network of leaders who provide books, supplies and projects to support early literacy at underfunded schools. TLRN is dedicated to equitable education and literacy for all students. Each school year, we partner with educators, students and community members to provide over 50,000 brand new books, service projects, and read aloud experiences.
