Foster a Love of Reading

Read Across America Book Drive

Books Build Bridges to a Better Future

Every child begins with exciting dreams. Yet, significant educational and economic inequities often hinder these aspirations. Lack of access to books and not reading at grade level are major reasons why dreams slip away from children. In fact, over 1/2 of all San Diego County children aren’t reading at grade level by the time they enter fourth grade.

Why is the 3rd-grade marker so important? Children not reading at grade level by the end of 3rd grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school! This is largely because foundational reading comprehension is crucial for building more advanced educational concepts.

Our Read Across America Book Drive strives to break down these barriers by enhancing children’s access to age-appropriate, high-quality books to build literacy skills. By contributing, you can help keep children’s dreams alive, ensuring they are successful in school and beyond!

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!

Together, we can foster a love of reading and pave the path for a brighter future!

Pave the Path for a Successful Future

Join our annual Read Across America celebration by participating in our book drive running through March 15th!

By donating today, you can help us reach our goal of distributing 3,000 books to local children to help them develop essential literacy skills, ignite their imagination, and nurture their love for reading.

Join the cause through our giving options:

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 purchase books.

Make a monetary donation of any amount to help close literacy gaps in our region so children can achieve their dreams.

For as little as $10, you can put a book into the hands of a local child!

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 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
  • Barnes & Noble
    Market Center, 10775
    Westview Pkwy
    San Diego, CA 92126
    (From Feb. 1 – 29, 2024)

*Receive a complimentary coffee from Cafe Moto with a Libélula Books & Co. Read Across America purchase. See store for details.

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!

Sponsors

A very special thank you to our Read Across America Book Drive sponsors who are helping San Diego
County children have access to books, build literacy skills, and foster a love for reading.
Check out our sponsorship opportunities and get your organization involved!