The Marine Toys for Tots Literacy Program’s Operation Turn the Page initiative is making significant strides in addressing book deserts across the United States, where many children in low-income communities have few or no books of their own. This matters because access to books is a foundational determinant of literacy, academic success, and long-term economic mobility. Without intervention, children in these communities face a persistent opportunity gap that extends far beyond the classroom.
Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education, and media company, has partnered with the Toys for Tots Literacy Program since 1998 to help close that gap. Together, they have provided books to millions of students, teachers, and families nationwide. The implications of this partnership are profound: by putting books directly into the hands of children, they are not only fostering a love of reading but also building confidence, imagination, and the skills necessary for future success.
One of the most telling indicators of impact is the support for Title I funded schools. So far in 2026, 146 Title I schools have received book donations through this collaboration, resulting in the distribution of 79,070 books. For children in these schools, which serve high concentrations of students from low-income families, these books represent more than stories—they are tools for exploring new worlds, strengthening reading proficiency, and developing a lifelong love of learning. The scale of this distribution underscores the urgent need for equitable access to educational resources.
The partnership has also enabled collaboration with the Kids In Need Foundation, supporting 3,800 teachers in Portland, Oregon; Dayton, Ohio; Charlotte, North Carolina; Wichita, Kansas; and Little Canada, Minnesota. By providing 4,021 educational resources—including 2,100 books and 1,921 teacher supplies—the organizations are empowering educators to create engaging learning environments. This matters because teacher support is often overlooked in literacy efforts; when teachers have the materials they need, they can focus on inspiring students rather than scrambling for basic supplies.
Beyond schools, the initiative addresses unique community needs. At Atlantic Coast High School in Jacksonville, Florida, 250 books were provided to students, expanding access to educational resources and supporting academic achievement. In Tucson, Arizona, 210 books were distributed through a partnership with the Tucson Police Department, demonstrating how literacy can strengthen community connections and bring people together around a shared commitment to helping children succeed. These examples illustrate that literacy is not just an educational issue but a community-wide one, with implications for public safety, civic engagement, and social cohesion.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to discover the power of a book, and our partnership with Scholastic is helping make that possible for thousands of children across the Nation,” said Lieutenant General Jim Laster, U.S. Marines (Retired), President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “When a child turns the page of a book, they also turn the page toward new possibilities in life.” This sentiment captures the essence of why this work matters: literacy is a gateway to opportunity, and for disadvantaged children, it can be the difference between falling behind and forging ahead.
The continued success of Operation Turn the Page and the partnership between the Toys for Tots Literacy Program and Scholastic demonstrate what can be achieved when organizations unite around a common purpose. They are helping disadvantaged children across America turn the page toward opportunity, one book, one child, and one future at a time. To learn more or to donate, visit https://www.toysfortots.org/programs/literacy-program.
