Boyle collects books for needy

John Boyle, a local teen and Boy Scout, is involved in nearly every sport his high school has to offer but still manages to find time to help the local community.

For his Eagle Scout project, John organized a children’s book drive that amassed more than 1,600 books for children, young adults and adults. On May 1, John and his troop met at the Church of the Visitation to sort and pack the books so they could be sent to hospitals, homeless shelters, community centers, correctional facilities and other organizations. 

To collect the books, John distributed flyers asking for donations throughout the community, his apartment building and fellow troop members’ buildings. Although John’s original goal was to gather 400 books, he quickly surpassed that number. 

“He realized there was an interest. The people and children couldn’t believe [the books] were free,” John’s mother, Peggy Boyle, said. “He wanted to launch a bigger project for his Eagle Scout project and expanded the drive to other agencies and organizations in the Bronx.”

“He’s a very reserved and humbled kid with a good heart, and he takes his community service serious,” she added. 

More than 10 agencies and organizations, including Fordham Bedford Children’s Center, Refuge House, Montefiore Children’s Hospital, Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, Westchester Medical Center Children’s Hospital and Bedford Correctional Facility Children’s Center, will receive books.

Bedford Correctional Facility Children’s Center will give the books to incarcerated mothers, who will tape themselves reading and give the tape to their children to bring home on Mother’s Day.