NEWS RELEASES
AUGUST 14, 2026
LITTLE LIBBY BOOKS ANNOUNCES WINNER OF BE KIND & WIN CHALLENGE
Kindness initiative inspired youth to turn simple acts of caring into meaningful
community impact
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: LEBANON, OHIO — August 14, 2026 — Little Libby Books is proud to
announce Kora Aylor as the winner of the 2026 Be Kind & Win Challenge, a youth kindness initiative created
as part of the Little Libby Kindness Project. The Be Kind & Win Challenge encouraged young people ages
18 and under to complete at least 10 acts of kindness—from writing thank-you notes and donating books to
helping an older person, picking up litter, volunteering and encouraging others. The challenge demonstrated a
simple but powerful message: every act of kindness, no matter how small, can make a difference.
As the challenge winner, Kora received a Back-to-School Prize Pack and a $100 gift card. In keeping with
the spirit of giving, Little Libby Books will also make a $100 donation in the winner’s name to the Katie Aylor
Scholarship, the winner’s selected charity. This scholarship is in honor of Kora’s late aunt Katie who passed
away at a very young age.
“The Be Kind & Win Challenge was never just about winning a
prize. It was about helping young people see that they already
have the power to make a difference,” said Raye Kimberlin, co-
author of the Little Libby’s Big Idea book series and
Community Leader/Founder of GivingTuesdayLeb.com. “When
a child writes a kind note, helps a neighbor, donates to someone in
need or volunteers, they begin to understand that service and
kindness can become a way of life.”
FROM KINDNESS JOURNALS TO
COMMUNITY ACTION
The Be Kind & Win Challenge was an extension of the Little Libby
Kindness Project, a community service, literacy and youth engagement
initiative designed to inspire children and young people to put kindness
into action.
The project included the creation and distribution of 600 Kindness Journals for students in grades K–12.
The journals combine reflective writing, creativity and community service, encouraging young people to
document their acts of kindness while thinking about how their actions affect others.
The project expanded beyond Lebanon through a network of community partners, reaching young people and
families in communities throughout Ohio, Kentucky, New York, California and Georgia. Partner
organizations that participated in this project included the Countryside YMCA, Harmon Museum, Hope Zone of
Dayton, Lebanon Public Library, United AME Church of Xenia, and Wayman Chapel AME Church of Hillsboro.
Journals were also mailed to a Girl Scout Troop in New York.
At the heart of the initiative is the belief that kindness grows when people are given an opportunity to
participate, serve and share their stories.
PARTNERSHIP MAKES KINDNESS POSSIBLE
The Little Libby Kindness Project was developed through a collaborative partnership involving Little Libby
Books, GivingTuesdayLeb.com, Together Tuesday and Be The People, bringing together storytelling,
service and community engagement to encourage people of all ages to make a positive difference.
The project was launched locally through Little Libby Kindness Day, held on Tuesday, June 23at the
Lebanon Public Library as part of Together Tuesday. Families and children gathered for an afternoon centered
on kindness, literacy, creativity and service.
Activities included storytime, kindness projects, crafts, giveaways and opportunities for children to put kindness
into action. The event also featured a young balloon artist, Warren Forrester, who made free balloon animals.
Young participants also received free My Kindness Journals to continue their kindness journey beyond the
event.
SPECIAL THANKS TO LEBANON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Little Libby Books extends a special acknowledgement and heartfelt thank you to the Lebanon Public
Library and its staff for hosting Little Libby Kindness Day and helping make the community celebration
possible.
The library provided more than a venue—it provided a welcoming community space where families could come
together around literacy, service and kindness.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Lebanon Public Library staff for embracing this project and opening their
doors to our community,” said Renee Forrester, co-author of Little Libby Books. “Their support helped us
create an experience where children could read, create, serve and discover how good it feels to do something
kind for someone else.”
A PROJECT INSPIRED BY A LEGACY OF SERVICE
The Little Libby Kindness Project builds upon the themes of the Little Libby’s Big Idea children’s book series
by sisters and co-authors Renee Forrester and Raye Kimberlin.
The series was inspired by the life and legacy of their late aunt, Elizabeth Louise Kimberlin, a Lebanon
pioneer, community activist and servant leader whose life demonstrated the lasting impact one person can
have through service to others.
Through the books, Kindness Journals, community partnerships and service activities, Little Libby Books is
carrying that legacy forward by encouraging a new generation to recognize that they, too, can have a “big idea”
that makes their community better.
The Be Kind & Win Challenge represents the next step in that mission—moving young people from reading
about kindness to practicing it in their own lives.
Kindness starts with you. It grows when you share it.
About Little Libby Books
Little Libby Books is home to the Little Libby’s Big Idea children’s book series by Renee
Forrester and Raye Kimberlin. Inspired by the life and legacy of Elizabeth Louise Kimberlin,
the series introduces young readers to themes of community service, perseverance,
leadership, kindness and the power of turning ideas into action.
About GivingTuesdayLeb.com
GivingTuesdayLeb.com is a website that serves as a digital platform to
encourage the citizens of Lebanon to give back to the community throughout this
holiday season and during other times of the year. The goal is to support and recognize the
tremendous impact of philanthropy, volunteerism, and community service within the City of
Lebanon, Ohio, and Warren County.
About TogetherTuesday
TogetherTuesday is a GivingTuesday activation that uplifts the spirit of generosity in local
communities across the country. As part of Be The People, it invites individuals, nonprofits,
and community leaders to organize simple acts of care that make generosity visible.
MEDIA CONTACT
Raye Kimberlin
Little Libby Books
Lebanon, Ohio
LittleLibbyBooks.com
Raye@LittleLibbyBooks.com
JUNE 9, 2026
LITTLE LIBBY KINDNESS DAY AT LEBANON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Free Family Event Celebrates Kindness, Literacy, and Community Service
on TogetherTuesday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 9, 2026 - Lebanon, Ohio — Families and children are invited to participate in the Little Libby Kindness Day on TogetherTuesday, June 23, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Lebanon Public Library, 101 S. Broadway, Lebanon, Ohio.
Little Libby Kindness Day, in partnership with Be The People, GivingTuesdayLeb.com, and Little Libby Books, is part of the national TogetherTuesday movement, a day dedicated to bringing communities together through connection, service, and belonging.
Youth attending the event will receive a free Little Libby Kindness Journal (while supplies last), courtesy of Little Libby Books. The afternoon will feature story time, crafts, kindness activities, balloon animals, giveaways, and opportunities for families to explore ways they can make a positive difference in their community.
The Little Libby Kindness Project was inspired by the Little Libby's Big Idea children's book series by sisters Raye Kimberlin and Renee Forrester. The books are based on the life and legacy of their late aunt, Elizabeth Kimberlin, a pioneering community leader who founded Lebanon's first Black Girl Scout troop, helped establish the Lebanon Food Pantry, served as a leader with the American Cancer Society, and dedicated her career to public service as a civilian employee with the United States Air Force.
The Little Libby Kindness Project combines youth writing, storytelling, and hands-on service to inspire acts of kindness across generations. Through guided journal activities and community engagement, children are encouraged to reflect on kindness, generosity, empathy, and ways they can help others.
"Small acts of kindness can create lasting change," said Raye Kimberlin, co-author of the Little Libby's Big Idea series and founder of GivingTuesdayLeb.com. "We hope this project inspires children and families to discover the power they have to make their communities stronger through service and compassion."
Stacy Books, Director of the Lebanon Public Library shared, “The Lebanon Public Library is thrilled to partner with The Little Libby Kindness Project to help honor a Lebanon legend, Elizabeth Kimberlin, and bring children and families together at the intersection of literacy, books, and kindness. We are excited to help shine a spotlight on Little Libby and the incredible work Raye and Renee are doing to help honor their late aunt's legacy while providing a solid literary foundation for generations of future children.”
The event is free and open to the public. Families, caregivers, educators, and community members are encouraged to attend.
Event Details:
What: Little Libby Kindness Day
When: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: Lebanon Public Library, 101 S. Broadway, Lebanon, Ohio
Cost: Free
About the Little Libby Kindness Project
The Little Libby Kindness Project is a community initiative that combines youth writing, storytelling, and service-learning opportunities to encourage kindness and civic engagement. Through journals, activities, and community partnerships, participants are empowered to turn ideas into action and make a positive impact in their communities. For more information, visit www.LittleLibbyBooks.com.
About GivingTuesdayLeb.com
GivingTuesdayLeb.com is a community-wide generosity movement connecting residents with local nonprofit organizations and opportunities to give, volunteer, and serve throughout the year. Its mission is simple: Give Where You Live.
About TogetherTuesday and Be The People
TogetherTuesday is a national day of generosity and community action taking place on June 23rd through GivingTuesday and Be The People. This nationwide moment is a way for individuals, businesses, and organizations to spark acts of kindness, community, and care.
###
Media Contact:
Raye Kimberlin
littlelibbybooks@gmail.com
MAY 20, 2026
A NEW CHILDREN'S BOOK SERIES
Little Libby's Big Idea Inspires Kindness, Service, and Community
For Immediate Release: Lebanon, Ohio, May 20, 2026 - The heartfelt children’s book series Little Libby’s Big Idea is capturing the attention of families, educators, and community leaders across the region with its inspiring stories rooted in Lebanon, Ohio’s history and one woman’s values of kindness, inclusion, generosity, and service.
Created by sisters, Renee Forrester and Raye Kimberlin, to encourage empathy and community engagement in children, the series follows Little Libby as she imagines ways to help others and make her community a better place. Inspired by the true story and legacy of their aunt, the late Elizabeth Kimberlin, the books blend historical themes with empowering messages designed for today’s young readers.
The children’s book series includes:
· Little Libby Wants to Feed People is an inspiring children’s story about a compassionate young girl whose dream of helping hungry neighbors during the Great Depression grows into a lifelong mission of kindness and service that helps create the Lebanon Food Pantry.
· Little Libby Wants to Join the Club is a story about a young girl who overcomes segregation and grows into a leader who creates opportunities for inclusion by organizing Girl Scouts of the USA troops and helping integrate Camp Butterworth for future generations.
· Little Libby Wants to Get a Job is a story about a young girl who dreams beyond the limited opportunities available to Black women and grows up to build a successful career while opening doors for future generations through leadership, mentorship, and determination.
· Libby Wants to Help the Sick is a heartfelt children’s story about a compassionate young girl whose dream of helping sick people grows into a lifelong commitment to supporting cancer research, education, and caring for others through service and determination.
“The purpose of the series is to help children understand the importance of compassion, opportunity, and serving others while also preserving local stories and history for future generations,” said Renee Forrester.
Books can be purchased online at www.littlelibbybooks.com and major online book retailers including Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, BooksAMillion.com. The books are also available locally at the Warren County Historical Society’s Harmon Museum gift shop in Lebanon, helping connect readers to the community history that inspired the stories.
In addition to community sales, the authors of Little Libby’s Big Idea books recently donated copies to the Lebanon Public Library and Lebanon City Schools to support literacy, character education, and local history engagement among students and families.
Raye Kimberlin stated, “these donations were important to us as we want to ensure children have access to stories that encourage kindness, leadership, and community involvement as well as to stories that represents diversity and history.”
The books are designed for families, classrooms, libraries, and community organizations seeking positive and meaningful children’s literature. Renee and Raye hope the books will inspire children to dream about their future, care for others, and discover how even small acts of kindness can create lasting change.
For more information, book purchases, upcoming events, or educational resources, visit Little Libby Books at www.littlelibbybooks.com or follow Little Libby Books on social media.
###
About Little Libby Books
Little Libby Books are a children’s book series inspired by the true story of the late Elizabeth Kimberlin and rooted in themes of kindness, generosity, empathy, inclusion, and community service. Through age-appropriate storytelling and relatable characters, the series encourages children to care for others, give back to their communities, and believe that even small acts of kindness can create meaningful change.
littlelibbybooks@gmail.com
PHOTOS
In The Community
Black Lit Fest Family Day - June 7, 2026
WordPlay Cincy
Springboro Juneteenth - June 20, 2026
Little Libby Kindness Day - TogetherTuesday, June 22, 2026
Lebanon Public Library