If there’s one thing we’ve learned this year, it’s that Cocky knows how to celebrate. When we set out to distribute 20,000 books in honor of our 20th anniversary, we thought we were dreaming big. But once we hit the road, we realized that simply meeting our goal wasn’t the Cocky way. So, we soared right past it.
In 2025, Cocky’s Reading Express gave more than 22,200 books to over 15,500 students, performed 45 high-energy storytime programs, and installed 13 Little Free Libraries across South Carolina. We also starred in our own short film.
But as proud as we are of those numbers, we know that Cocky’s Reading Express has always been about something far bigger than accomplishments on a screen: we seek to foster a love of reading and cultivate a world where anything is possible.
Our Volunteers Help Us Soar
Whenever I talk about Cocky’s Reading Express, I emphasize that our USC students are truly the heartbeat of this program.
Over the last twenty years, more than 4,000 volunteers have logged over 16,000 hours of community service across 800 literacy events. They come from every corner of campus and bring different talents, majors, and passions to the program.
Here’s a recap of a few of their favorite moments from our anniversary year:
Faith Moody (public health) remembers the first grader who pulled her close and whispered, “I’ll read every day so Cocky stays happy!”
For Allison Hall (MLIS), this year offered an opportunity to connect with her past. Our visit to Lexington Two’s Herbert A Wood elementary gave her the chance to visit the school where her grandmother taught and reminisce with two teachers who taught alongside her.
Olivia McKinney (elementary education) joined us for the first time this semester and recalls the moment that she first read I Got the Rhythm to the students: “They connected so naturally with the movements that it instantly became one of my core memories. Since then, it has brought me genuine joy to quiz them about the moves and watch their excitement grow. I love how innocent and curious they are at the beginning, and how that gradually shifts into fun, friendly competitiveness by the end.”
These volunteers expand the world beyond elementary school doors and promote a lifelong love of learning.
At the start of every program, our students run out and state their name, major and career aspirations (in kid-friendly terms!). Bosses. Nurses. Data Scientists. Lawyer. Teachers. Librarians.
Then, I turn and ask the kids what they want to be when they grow up. Hands fly up in the air. Suddenly, the room is filled with future bosses, teachers, and leaders.
That’s the magic of Cocky’s Reading Express.
Twenty More Years
As I write this, I’m sitting on the bus, watching the rural road roll by after our final visit of the year — an Adopt a School celebration at McCormick Elementary. The ride back to campus always stands in stark contrast to our early morning starts. Then, I look out into a sea of sleepy college students, barely awake at 6:30 a.m. Now, the bus practically vibrates with excitement.
Every time this happens, I’m reminded of how lucky we are to get to do this joy-filled work.
And, as tempting as it is to lean back and enjoy the ride, I know there is always more to do.
Our next goal? Raise $200,000 for a brand-new bus so we can keep zipping around South Carolina, delivering stories and sparking imaginations for the next twenty years.
Here’s to the books behind us, the miles ahead, and every kid whose eyes light up when Cocky walks into the room.