Toys for Tots Literacy Program

Literacy Champion Spotlight

Toys for Tots is one of the most well-known children’s charities – and for good reason! Since 1947, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation has delivered gifts to economically disadvantaged children during the Christmas holiday. Its mission is simple: to deliver a message of hope to children who might otherwise be forgotten. Many of the books, games and sports equipment provided as gifts have significant impacts on children’s educational, social and physical development. And in 2011, Toys for Tots delivered 16 million gifts to more than 7 million children.

In 2008, Toys for Tots, with support from The UPS Store and Scholastic Inc., launched the Toys for Tots Literacy Program, which aims to instill a passion for reading in the lives of millions children by including books as part of the Toys for Tots holiday gifts to children.

Why? Because in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio of books per child is one age-appropriate book for every 300 children. Without access to books at home, children are not inspired to read and do not develop the fundamental reading skills required to succeed in school and in life.

Support comes through book donations from Scholastic, cash donations from The UPS Store, and public donations. Since 2008, the Toys for Tots Literacy Program has put 7 million books into the homes of economically disadvantaged children, making it one of the largest distributors of free books to children in this country.

To learn how you can help, visit www.toysfortots.org/literacy.