The mission of BookEnds is to empower students to create a thriving community by opening the door to community service and literacy. BookEnds is about Kids Helping Kids. BookEnds recycles quality children’s book through student-run book drives and places them in schools and youth organizations in the greatest need of books. BookEnds is a simple program that works. BookEnds began in 1998, over 140,000 BookEnds student volunteers have filled 441 barren libraries throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, delivering more than 1.2 million books into the hands of over 300,000 at-risk students. BookEnds was inspired by Brandon Keefe, who organized his first book drive when he was just 8 years old. Now a 20-year-old UCLA student, he continues his dedication to improving children's literacy by serving as BookEnds spokesperson, and as an active board member. Read more about how BookEnds was founded.