Holmdel Twins Start Book-Themed Nonprofit

By:  | October 27, 2025 |  Philanthropy |  Holmdel

by Emma Sylvia

What book from your childhood meant the most to you?

Some might say “Goodnight Moon,” others might claim “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” and some may hold a whole series of books, like “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” or “Magical Treehouse,” closest to their hearts. Favorites vary, but no matter the choice, curling up with a good book is a perennial experience for most American students. But unfortunately, access to great books is not universal, as not everyone is lucky enough to have an entire library of different volumes and collections to read till their heart’s content.

Christian Brothers Academy sophomores and Holmdel residents (as well as twin brothers), Ajay and Aneel Pitchumoni, noticed this problem within Monmouth County and found it entirely unacceptable that any of their peers wouldn’t have the same privileges as they do. So, they set out to make a change.

The duo sat down with us to talk about their nonprofit, Got Books, and the impact it’s had on the community at large.

Giving Back

In 2023, the Pitchumoni brothers began their nonprofit, Got Books, which collects and distributes books and school supplies from Monmouth County residents to give back to local food pantries, Boys and Girls Clubs and domestic abuse safe homes. With the help of their mother, Vinita, they were able to get their nonprofit off the ground and serve the students and families of Holmdel – and beyond.

“When we were younger, our mom, who is a pediatrician, would go on medical missions and tell us about kids she would treat,” explains Ajay. “They didn’t have the same privileges and advantages we had in life. That motivated us since we were little to make a change in our community. Since we were 6 years old, we’ve collected money for different organizations, like SPCA, victims of the war in Ukraine, Toys for Tots, World Wildlife Foundation. In seventh grade, we thought, ‘How can we make this more localized for what we can relate to?’ Something super important to us is education. So many people don’t have the same education we have, the same privileges.”

Aneel says that his family has always had a strong emphasis on education. When the group began, work primarily consisted of calling up friends and families and participating in schoolbook and supply drives. After expanding their operations, they’ve now collected more than 18,000 books to date to distribute to those who need them most.

A Community Effort
 

Got Books works with numerous local organizations and nonprofits – from the Boys and Girls Club, Lunch Break, 180 Turning Lives Around, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, the Jewish Family & Services Center, the Vin Gopal Civic Association and STEAMpark (to name a few) – in order to get books to the people that need them most.

“180 is deeply grateful to the organization Got Books for their generous support of our school supply drive,” says Randi Zamkotowics, Chief Development Officer at 180 Turning Lives Around, a nonprofit that helps women who have been victims of domestic violence. “For the past several years, Got Books has been a consistent and valued donor, making it possible for us to meet the back-to-school needs of our survivor families. Because of their generosity, children of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault were able to choose their own school supplies — a simple act that provides them with a sense of freedom, empowerment, and dignity.”

“We were first connected with Got Books through Senator Vin Gopal’s office this past summer, when our organization reached out for school supply donations for a community block party in Asbury Park we were hosting,” elaborates Meredith Zappia, Director of Recovery Services at Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Monmouth County. “Ajay, Aneel, and their mom, Vinita, arrived with a car full of boxes containing books, notebooks, pens, crayons, and everything in between. Their generosity was incredible, and their kindness equally so! We were truly grateful for their support, and their mission to give back to children in the community aligns beautifully with our own and we were so happy to be connected and look forward to continuing this partnership in the future.”

"Got Books NJ partnered with the Vin Gopal Civic Association this August to donate school supplies to Jewish Children and Family Services in Asbury Park,” adds Erin Howard, Executive Director of the Vin Gopal Civic Association. “The professionalism and generosity of Aneel and Ajay is remarkable! These young men used their free time and money to gather school supplies and books for other kids in need and did so with a smile on their face. You can see that they truly love giving back, and that's what makes working with them so wonderful. We can't wait to partner with them again.”

Putting in the Work
 

After hitting 18,000 books already, the Pitchumoni brothers have a short-term goal of getting that number to 20,000 soon. They’ve started with Monmouth County, but they plan to have the whole state supported through Got Books.

“We don’t plan on stopping anytime soon,” remarks Aneel.

Anyone can make a difference in their hometown. The brothers emphasize that it doesn’t matter where you start, as long as you do. Got Books was originally just an idea before blossoming into a county-wide supported excursion. “Make sure you’re doing it from the heart,” Ajay says.

“If you have an idea, start something,” Aneel adds. “Have that confidence. Put in the work and the time to make it work.”

The brothers conclude that their motto is “One step, one page, one story at a time.”

That motto seems to fit in more ways than one, as Got Books is a story in itself — a success story.

To learn more about Got Books (or to donate to their Amazon Wishlist to support the nonprofit), visit gotbooksnj.com or @gotbooksNJ on Instagram