Every strong community starts with a strong foundation, and for Kiewit, that foundation begins with reading.
As part of their commitment to education and opportunity, Kiewit supports Lead to Read KC as a corporate partner. This year, their partnership included sponsoring the 2025 Reading Rally.
A Rally for Readers
The annual Reading Rally — hosted by Lead to Read KC and featuring Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes — marks the culmination of the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation’s Read for 15 program, which begins each October and engages thousands of students across Kansas City in daily reading.
At the 2025 event, Kiewit employees volunteered alongside Lead to Read KC staff, handing out free T-shirts, toy footballs, and children’s books — turning reading into a celebration of learning and community pride.
And the story doesn’t stop there: Kiewit has just signed on to sponsor the 2026 Reading Rally, continuing their commitment to inspire young readers and help them see what’s possible when they open a book.
Kiewit volunteers passed out free T-shirts featuring the 15 and Mahomies Foundation logo to students entering the T-Mobile Center for the rally.
Kiewit volunteers handed out children’s books after the rally.
Why Kiewit Invests in Literacy
For Julianne DeLessio, Kiewit’s Community Impact Strategist, the connection between reading and opportunity is clear:
“Kiewit is passionate about supporting literacy and education; we aim for a future where all students feel empowered to pursue careers within our industry, but we know that for any student, it all begins with reading,” said DeLessio. “We were thrilled to partner with Lead to Read on the 15 & Mahomies Reading Rally because the event instills an excitement for reading within students and shows the opportunities that become possible through reading.”
Building Brighter Futures Together
From building bridges and highways to building opportunities for Kansas City’s young readers, Kiewit’s partnership helps Lead to Read KC create lasting impact — one student, one story, one community at a time.
