Read & Run Chicago Hosting April Book Drive for the L.Y.D. Foundation
by Allison Yates
When it comes to spreading the love of reading, the Read & Run Chicago community knows how to do it! This April, we’ll be collecting donations for two new community libraries sponsored by the L.Y.D. Foundation, the South Side-based nonprofit helmed by Read & Run Chicago facilitator Chris Smith.
Chris Smith with readers & runners in May 2023 before his Book Club Run in Englewood inspired by The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration Isbale Wilkerson.
Chris—who you may recall from our 2023 three-part Book Club Run series inspired by The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration, Isabel Wilkerson’s award-winning account of The Great Migration—is collecting donations for two forthcoming community libraries: One at a senior citizen facility in Englewood and another at his food pantry in West Pullman.
The L.Y.D. Foundation (“L.Y.D.” stands for “live your dreams”) works to eliminate hunger and strengthen the communities we live in and serve. They do this through mentoring, education, direct service, philanthropy and community outreach. Through our first initiative “Running for Something,” we support like-minded causes while building programs to serve our communities. Chris has done everything from 10 marathons in 10 months to working at community gardens to achieve his mission. Adding to his repertoire, he’s now added libraries to his community offerings.
“It breaks my heart that these schools are moving to a media center model and phasing out physical libraries,” explains Chris. “I want to keep the people actually turning the page.” All types of books will be accepted, Chris says. He’s hoping that community members of all ages will “take book, leave a book, or do a straight book swap to promote financial literacy.”
Chris Smith leading a Book Club Run in Englewood in May 2023 inspired by Isabel Wilkerson’s The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration.
To help Chris stock these two new community spaces, Read & Run Chicago will be collecting book donations the entire month of April at our Monday night MOVE + BOOK SWAP community meetups, plus our Season-End Celebration at Arc’Teryx Bucktown.
RSVP for our upcoming community events below, bring your books donate, and join us as we celebrate movement, literacy, and community all month long.
Season End Celebration | Monday, March 31, 2025
We’re celebrating the end of our Winter 2025 season with another sweet run, this time to in Humboldt Park! Starting and ending at Arc’Teryx Bucktown outlet, we’ll run an out-and-back route (four miles total) to Roeser’s Bakery. Stick around for samples from Roeser’s, book sales with Historic Chicago Bakeries author Jennifer Billock, a raffle, and of course—book donations! This event is free and open to all—RSVP required.
Monday MOVE + BOOK SWAP | Monday, April 7, 2025
Join us on Monday, April 7 for our weekly “MOVE + BOOK SWAP” meetup. We gather at 6:30pm at Dark Matter Osmium Coffee in Lakeview and swap at 6:45pm. After the swap, we invite book lovers to continue the conversation while moving their way (running, walking, biking, etc.).
Monday MOVE + BOOK SWAP | Monday, April 14, 2025
Join us on Monday, April 14 for our weekly “MOVE + BOOK SWAP” meetup. We gather at 6:30pm at Dark Matter Osmium Coffee in Lakeview and swap at 6:45pm. After the swap, we invite book lovers to continue the conversation while moving their way (running, walking, biking, etc.).
Monday MOVE + BOOK SWAP | Monday, April 21, 2025
Join us on Monday, April 21 for our weekly “MOVE + BOOK SWAP” meetup. We gather at 6:30pm at Dark Matter Osmium Coffee in Lakeview and swap at 6:45pm. After the swap, we invite book lovers to continue the conversation while moving their way (running, walking, biking, etc.).
Monday MOVE + BOOK SWAP | Monday, April 28, 2025
Join us on Monday, April 28 for our weekly “MOVE + BOOK SWAP” meetup. We gather at 6:30pm at Dark Matter Osmium Coffee in Lakeview and swap at 6:45pm. After the swap, we invite book lovers to continue the conversation while moving their way (running, walking, biking, etc.).