Gloversville, NY — Nathan Littauer Hospital is proud to recognize a thoughtful contribution from a local student aimed at supporting early childhood education and literacy development.

On Thursday, April 2, 2026, Lucille “Luci” Kline, a junior at Mayfield High School, donated 100 preschool literacy kits to Nathan Littauer Hospital as part of her community leadership project. Each kit contains age-appropriate books, alphabet flashcards, pencil grippers, and other engaging materials designed to help young children build foundational literacy skills.

From left: Maruthi Sunkara, MD, Nathan Littauer Pediatrician; Lucille Kline of Mayfield; Littauer Pediatrics’ Stefanie Baird with her grandson, Jarrett Achzet; and Jarrett’s mother, Alyssa Achzet pictured with the donated literacy kits.

The initiative was supported through a self-organized fundraising campaign, with the goal of increasing access to early learning resources for children who may not otherwise have them. Luci’s project reflects a strong commitment to educational equity and community service.

“Reading and writing is something I am passionate about – I want to be a journalist,” said Kline. “Reading, comprehension, and writing are skills I had access to growing up. This is a way of me trying to give back.”

Early exposure to books and language-based activities plays a critical role in a child’s cognitive, emotional, and academic development. By providing these literacy kits, Luci is helping to foster a love of reading while supporting essential skill-building during formative years.

“Early literacy is one of the most important foundations we can provide for a child’s long-term health and development,” said Maruthi Sunkara, MD, Pediatric Provider at Nathan Littauer Hospital. “Initiatives like this not only support cognitive growth and language development, but also help foster confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. We are incredibly grateful to Luci for her thoughtful contribution and for recognizing the lasting impact that access to educational resources can have on children and families in our community.”

The donated kits will be distributed to pediatric patients and families served by Nathan Littauer’s Pediatric practices, helping to strengthen early literacy efforts and support positive health and developmental outcomes.

Nathan Littauer Hospital extends its sincere appreciation to Luci Kline for her generosity, leadership, and dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children throughout the region.

About Nathan Littauer

Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home is a full-service, 74-bed acute care hospital with an 84-bed skilled nursing home. Since 1894, Nathan Littauer has provided safe, high-quality health and wellness services with a focus on securing appropriate new technologies for people residing in Upstate New York. Over the years, the hospital has expanded its services in order to offer health care that is comprehensive, accessible, and relevant to the needs of the communities they serve.  More information can be found by visiting www.nlh.org or calling (518) 725-8621