It helps kids become great readers if they have ACCESS starting at infancy. Peace B. Still, whom I met at the NJEA Convention,gave us ACCESS to several Trenton, New Jersey schools, and I am so grateful. Nearly 7,000 books given away to 7 schools!
Trenton has only one public library, so why not build libraries in the homes of all Trenton kids - a big DREAM that we will turn into REALITY!

DONATE your children's books so we can do this!

People who donate their children's books to pick-up agencies and big box thrifts hope their books get shared with kids in need.  But only a tiny fraction of the books get lucky. 

Think of the millions of used children's books that could be diverted from landfill and the pulpers if we had hundreds of young people like Lizzie, collecting thousands of books in their garage.  All of this book-wealth got donated to BookSmiles.  Thanks, Lizzie!

Kasey Stevens, a teacher at E.T. Hamilton Elementary in Voorhees, spearheaded a drive that yeilded 3,500 books. On the left is Principal Mary Tadley.  The best drives happen when administractor and teachers work together, inspiring the kids to share their book wealth!  Here's how to do it: ​Book Drive

Board Treasurer Heidi Bahnck has one of the coolest jobs around: being a senior editor at NFL Films. She initiated a book drive at NFL Flim's Mount Laurel headquarters, invited the BookSmiles crew over for a tour, and brought her team over for some sorting.  Thank you Heidi, for ALL that you do!

The tour of NFL Films inspired our BookSmiles team.  NFL Films was started in the early 1960s.  Founder Ed Sabol loved filming his son Steve playing football.  He approached the NFL with a $4000 investment for filming rights, convincing them that he could package the clips to ramp up viewership on TV. When Steve joined him, after graduating from college, the business skyrocketed.  A talented, artist and athelete, Steve helped his dad transform a football game into high-energy storytelling with commentary, pizzaz, and music.  NFL Films was instrumental in building the NFL into the multi-billion dollar juggernaut that it is today. 

Terry Gross, of Fresh Air with Terry Gross fame has often been called a national treasure. And BookSmiles collects book-wealth by the tractor-trailer load.
We are so proud to partner with WHYY and its educational arm, which will distribute tens of thousands of books across the Delaware Valley, particularly in underserved communities.
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How can you help? Inspire a young person to start a book drive, especially if you live in a middle class or affluent district. See our website for details! https://www.booksmiles.org/

We are so grateful that the nonprofit Matt’s Kindness Ripples On granted us money to commission a bin in Matt Kurtz's memory. You must read about his life and legacy of kindness: https://mattskindnessrippleson.com/

And check out our local coverage in The Cherry Hill Sun: https://tinyurl.com/4czhrdtz

We're looking for a special bin custodian to manage and market this bin, ensuring that it fills constantly with great kids books! Know of a location?
Thank you Leah at 168 Tattoo for your art and passion.

Brandon Graham has been a powerful Eagle since 2010 but has been a passionate reader all his life. We are so grateful to partner with Deptford Mall , which established a permanent collection book collection site at Center Court. This mall has helped us gather 2,500 kid's books over the last month.
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What a joy to have a fill-the-truck collection at their Football Fest!
#philadelphiaeagles #bookcollection #childrensbooks #BrandonGraham #philanthropy

Our first 5K is a wrap! A huge thanks to the 202 runners and walkers, along with our AMAZING, GENEROUS sponsors.

Rob Abrams, this was your idea and you planned and executed like a boss.
Congrats to Michael Bond with a 16:09 first place male finish and Mackenzie Green with a 19:16 first place female finish!

And we loved having Coaty, the Delaware Blue Coats mascot prance around, and Miss Pennsylvania's Teen and BooKSmiles Ambassador Lizzie Shacklett for passing out medals!
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Enjoy the pics! To see more, check out this link: https://tinyurl.com/cudewvb3

Senator Troy Singleton, who is on our Board of Directors, shows up to work at the Book Bank. Here's what he has to say about books and children's literacy:

Spreading “literacy love” has been a goal of mine since taking public office. From our annual “Jump Into Reading Challenge” to reading to kids in classrooms, I am always seeking ways to encourage our kids to read. To that end, for nearly three years, I have partnered with BookSmiles and Larry. For those who are not familiar with this non-profit, Larry and his team collect unwanted children’s books and give them to kids who may not have their own home libraries. In essence, they are redistributing book wealth. In the past we’ve collected thousands of books for them, sorted and packed huge donations of books, found a home for a large-scale donation, and invited them to join us at our summer lunch events to give away bags of books to kids. Want to get involved or learn more? 
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Houses of worship are the best at doing book drives.  We love collections that harvest thousands of children's books, but did you know that we also accept grown-up books? We send many of them to food banks and adult ed. programs.   But we also have partners that turn the rest into revenue that helps cover our operating expenses.  Let's get books into the hands of other book-lovers and help our mission.

Check out the the results of a two week drive by the St. Joan of Arc Church in Marlton.   We were happy to use our truck to pick up over 4000 books!

Please contact us at [email protected] if you know of an organization willing to do a big drive!