A Manatee County teen just graduated from high school and already he’s making a big impact on society.

Mathew Hardy, who just graduated from Southeast High School, donated more than 2,000 books to Daughtrey Elementary School in Bradenton.

"I realized a lot of kids don’t get the opportunity to read as much as they might want to,” he said. “I think that is what really helped me get to where I am to today."

The avid reader came up with the idea to collect and donate the books to the school for his senior community service project, which he named "Tales for Tykes."

Throughout his senior year, he collected the gently-used books from neighbors, classmates and friends.

"I was thinking at best I’d get 500 or 600 books, but as I started counting them, I realized I had well over 1,500,” Hardy said. "I was very happy. When I hit 2,000, I was in disbelief."

Ann McDonald, the principal at Daughtrey Elementary, said the books are greatly needed.

"Those students at home do not have resources that are needed sometimes, and sometimes we don’t have resources in media center to provide for all the students," she said.

McDonald said the books are a gift that will keep on giving.

"Reading to me is gateway to success," she said. "It’s the one thing you can take and be successful in workforce, vocational or profession of any kind that you want to do."

The students are also appreciative.

"I like them because they make your brain very smart and they make you think a lot more,” second-grader Zachary Kyle said.

Hardy, who will be attending Eckerd College in the fall, is working with Southeast High to try and make this an annual project.

To donate books for the program, call the school at 941-751-7023.