Begins: April 1, 2010
Ends: May 31, 2010

Nominations must be postmarked by May 31, 2010, and received by June 5, 2010 at 5:00PM ET.

  • 3 day / 2 night trip for two to Washington, D.C. to attend the U.S. Marine Corps Summer Parade in June 2011
  • Award ceremony in winner’s community to celebrate his or her efforts
  • $500 in books from Scholastic to be donated to an eligible organization of the winner’s choice
  • $500 in products and services from The UPS Store
  • Engraved crystal bookends
Once the judging process commences, a panel will select five finalists. You can help select our winner in a public voting gallery from September 1-30, 2010.

We know they are out there. Volunteers, students, tutors, librarians, teachers, grandparents – doing their part to help inspire a love of reading in children. We want to recognize their commitment to helping make a difference in the lives of children.

The Toys for Tots Literacy Program, together with The UPS Store and Scholastic, invites you to nominate someone inspiring in your life who is committed to helping children improve their reading skills.

Choose a person who inspires a love of reading that you would like to nominate.
In 300 words or less (single-page, double spaced) describe how the nominee helps to promote childhood literacy.
Complete the nomination form and mail it to:

Alferd Williams Literacy Award Nomination
C/O Mail Boxes Etc., Inc.
6060 Cornerstone Court West
San Diego, CA 92121

- OR -
Submit your nomination to a participating The UPS Store location.
Click here to find you nearest location.

No purchase or donation necessary to enter or win. A purchase or donation will not increase your chances of winning. Nominations may be submitted by any legal resident of the U.S. (including the District of Columbia but excluding Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories or possessions) who is at least 18 years of age (or the age of majority under the laws of the state in which the person resides) as of April 1, 2010. Nominations are due by May 31, 2010. For a copy of the complete official rules, click here.

As the son of sharecroppers during the Great Depression, Alferd Williams never had the opportunity to learn how to read.

Decades later, at the age of 70, Alferd made good on a promise to his mother when he “enrolled” in first grade in order to learn how to read. In honor of his inspiring story, Alferd received the inaugural Alferd Williams Literacy Award in 2009. Watch the video to learn more about Alferd’s remarkable journey toward literacy.