For the Love of Reading

Read Across America Book Drive

Keeping dreams alive, one book at a time

As children grow up, they learn about the limitless potential that awaits them and have big dreams of becoming writers, scientists, lawyers, veterinarians, doctors, and artists.

Lack of access to books and not being able to read at grade level are major reasons why dreams slip away from children. Studies show that children not reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school, largely because foundational reading comprehension is crucial for building more advanced educational concepts.

In order to combat this major gap, many students – particularly in diverse communities – urgently need high-quality, age-appropriate books in their home libraries. By supporting Read Across America, you are ensuring children can make their dreams a reality.

Our Read Across America Book Drive ensures kids have books at home and can make their dreams a reality.

Results

  • More than 2,000 books donated
  • More than $13,000 raised to purchase books + support our work in our community

Our Community Impact team is distributing donated books to students who reside, and attend schools, in communities experiencing great inequities in education.

Books will stock Free Little Libraries in neighborhoods and help children grow a love for reading at home!

Our Read Across America Book Drive increases access to books at home for underserved children in San Diego County to foster a nation of diverse readers!

Thank You

With your generous support, we were able to meet our goal of collecting and distributing 2,000 books to children across San Diego County to help them develop the literacy skills needed to achieve their dreams.

Thank you for your commitment to fostering a love of reading!

2k Books

distributed to children

$19.3k Raised

to support our work in the community

There are four ways to give:

Make a financial contribution to support United Way of San Diego County’s work.

Your generous donation helps to address inequities in our community and close gaps in education, literacy, and economic mobility so that all San Diegans can thrive.

Purchase books online to donate to our book drive from our partner, Warwick’s.

*When purchasing a book on the Warwick’s website, please make sure to select the “Pick Up In-Store” option. Warwick’s will automatically ensure that your donation is added to the Read Across America book donations.*

Purchase a book in-store from one of our partners that will be donated to our book drive.

  • Warwick’s*
    7812 Girard Ave
    La Jolla, CA 92037
  • Libélula Books & Co.**
    950 S 26th St
    San Diego, CA 92113

*Receive two complimentary scones from Brick and Bell Cafe with a Warwick’s Read Across America purchase.
**Receive a complimentary proper coffee or V12 cold brew from Cafe Moto with a Libélula Books & Co. Read Across America purchase.

Drop off new, unused books at our office between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm on the following Tuesdays:

  • February 21
    February 28
    March 7
  • March 14
    March 21
    March 28

Address:
4699 Murphy Canyon Road
San Diego, CA 92123

Click here to make a financial contribution to support United Way of San Diego County’s work. Your generous donation helps to address inequities in our community and close the gaps in education, literacy, and family stability so that all San Diegans can thrive.

Purchase books online to donate to our book drive from our partner, Warwick’s.

*When purchasing a book on Warwick’s website, please make sure to select the “Pick Up In-Store” option. Warwick’s will automatically ensure that your donation is added to the Read Across America book donations.*

Purchase a book in-store from one of our partners, Warwick’s or Libélula Books & Co., that will be put aside and donated to our book drive.

  • Warwick’s
    7812 Girard Ave
    La Jolla, CA 92037
  • Libélula Books & Co.
    950 S 26th St
    San Diego, CA 92113

Drop off new, unused books at our office between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm on the following Wednesdays:

  • February 23
    March 2
    March 9
  • March 16
    March 23

Partners

Thank you to our bookstore and coffee shop partners for supporting this book drive!

libelula-logo

Sponsors

A very special thank you to our book drive sponsors who are ensuring that San Diego County children can keep their future dreams alive by fostering a love for reading.

Pulitzer $7,500 Sponsors

Pulitzer $5,000 Sponsors

$1,000 Sponsors