According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, over 16 million children live in poverty. Through the gift of a book, we can provide these children with the tools they need to help break the cycle of poverty, one child at a time. According to Francie Alexander, Chief Academic Officer at Scholastic, "Literacy remains at the core of academic achievement for all children, and it is critical that we work together to help every child have access and exposure to books at home and in their communities. By giving the gift of reading to a child in your life or a child in need, you are not only opening up a world of opportunity for them, but you are giving them a lifetime of joy.”
You can help. Every donation to the Toys for Tots Literacy Program helps place a book into the hands of a less fortunate child. One-hundred percent of your tax-deductible donation goes to support community literacy programs. More than $2 million have been contributed to the program since its inception, helping to deliver more than one million books to children across the country.
Consider helping in other ways as well:
• Donate gently used children’s books to your local youth organization or homeless shelter.
• Spend time reading to the kids in your life.
• Volunteer to read to kids at your local library or youth program.
Be a reading role model; show your kids how much reading means to you and how books have added to your own life.
