(NewsUSA) - March is National Reading Month, and the Marine Toys for Tots Literacy Program is committed to expanding access to books and educational resources for children living in low-income communities. Our initiative, “March into Reading” reflects our Program’s dedication to fostering literacy among underserved youth.

Toys for Tots’ mission extends beyond the holiday season, and our Literacy Program is one of our programs that enables us to be a year-round force for good, providing disadvantaged children with direct access to books and educational resources that enhance their ability to read and communicate effectively.

According to The Nation’s Report Card (NAEP), 37% of fourth graders read below the basic reading level due to a lack of educational materials. With 1 in 4 children in America growing up without learning how to read, the need for accessible books is more critical than ever. The Marine Toys for Tots Literacy Program works to combat this illiteracy crisis by distributing books and educational resources to children in underserved communities and Title I funded schools, helping them develop creative thinking, problem-solving skills, and a love for reading.

"By getting books into the hands of struggling students, we are helping children become their best selves," said LtGen Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. "Our goal is to dramatically change the landscape for economically disadvantaged children and provide the essential tools to ensure their future success."

Last year, Marine Forces Reserve, GySgt Bacchus, and author Will Baggett, visited Hynes Charter School, a Title I funded school in the New Orleans metro area, to conduct a reading event promoting the Marine Toys for Tots Literacy Program. They shared the fundamental value of literacy with first- and second-graders, emphasizing the importance of getting educational books and materials into the hands of all children, regardless of their circumstances.

"The Marine Toys for Tots Literacy Program not only brings the joy of reading to these children, but it also serves as a vital instrument in breaking the cycle of poverty and highlighting the importance of literacy," said LtGen Laster.

The Toys for Tots Literacy Program believes that reading is a basic, essential skill that can transform lives and open doors to a more fulfilling future. Since its inception in 2008, the Toys for Tots Literacy Program has distributed over 60 million books to disadvantaged children including nearly 2 million books to Title I funded schools, and in 2024 alone, distributed nearly 3 million books.

During National Reading Month, Toys for Tots is working to ensure every child experiences the power of literacy, and the sense of hope, optimism, and excitement that it generates.

For more information or to donate, please visit www.toysfortots.org.