(NewsUSA) - What We Never Say by Paulette Stout

“A deftly crafted, memorably compulsive page turner.” --Midwest Book Review

After a lifetime of lacking confidence, Rebecca has finally found her voice. Her blog for women is gaining traction, getting noticed by the world’s top fashion magazine. When they request an article, she’s thrilled. So why is her boyfriend Kyle so concerned?

Kyle won’t share his past—not even with Rebecca. But his secret is blown when a powerful woman from his modeling days becomes desperate to get his attention. It’s attention he never wanted and has been trying to forget for eleven years.

As Kyle takes steps to heal, Rebecca’s article becomes a global sensation. Events force Kyle’s past and present to converge, putting Rebecca’s future at serious risk. It’s time for the truth, but is it too late?

“Tackled a sensitive subject with finesse and great writing.” -InD’Tale Magazine. Purchase at: https://books2read.com/u/bOz62o

Circus Home: A Novel of Life, Love and New Jersey by Jason Ollander-Krane

For fans of Gower's The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock, Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, Doctorow’s Ragtime, and Dickens' The Pickwick Papers, this whimsical tale of a retirement home for retired circus performers wanders through the life stories of the home’s residents, including clowns, magicians and elephant tamers. The novel is narrated by the circus barker, who adds a poignant perspective on his companions.

The sweeping novel springs to life in New Jersey, along with settings as diverse as 1880s Brooklyn, 1920s Mississippi, 1940s Detroit, 1950s New York City, a west-bound wagon train, exotic Havana, pre-revolution Kiev, and Washington DC on the eve of The Great War. From laugh-out-loud funny to magically fantastic to heartbreaking. Purchase at http://bit.ly/3EAMiOL.

Wordslinger by Leonard Novarro

The author didn’t decide to write this book out of some noble dedication to the field of journalism. Or to revitalize “the good old days” by recapturing the past. Or tell a great story or two while singing the praises of newspapers. The newspapers didn’t always get it right, although they did get it right more than they got it wrong.

Now, in this era of the Internet and social media, the opposite often is true. How else would you explain the fact that millions here and abroad believe in a conspiracy theory that a ring of Satan-worshipping pedophiles, cannibals and sex traffickers are working to unseat the President States and take over the world -- a theory that began at Trump rallies in 2018 and one that he clings to? Purchase at http://bit.ly/3AEaddx.

Bad Behavior in the Workplace by Michael Weiner

When an inappropriate and angry outburst at work puts a leading pediatric oncologist’s career, reputation, and personal life in jeopardy, he has to take the first few uncomfortable steps toward change.

With his back against the wall, Dr. Andrew Brown harnesses his years of experience and confronts his demons. With a team of colleagues and sympathetic researchers by his side, Andrew sets out to discover not only the cause of his own temper but the very origins of rage in the human psyche. Delving into the genealogical and historical roots of human anger, his search leads him not only to shocking revelations about the world around him but to a deeper understanding of his place in it. A fascinating novel based on real-life events. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3Y3jNjU.

BookTrib’s Bites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(Updated 3/21/2023)

(NewsUSA) -  

The ever-changing landscape of self-care offers consumers an array of choices that can sometimes feel overwhelming. To help navigate through the sea of health information, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) Educational Foundation, a nonprofit organization that empowers consumers to make smart self-care decisions, has launched a new website, HealthInHand.org.

The website, formerly KnowYourOTCs.org, provides information not only about over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, but also dietary supplements and consumer medical devices. Through a modern, user-friendly design, the site features a robust search function, an extensive library of self-care resources written by healthcare professionals, a simplified symptom relief section, a catalogue of common self-care products, and an active ingredient glossary.

“This redesign is more than just a fresh coat of paint,” says Anita Brikman, Executive Director of CHPA’s Educational Foundation. “Health In Hand is the result of many months of hard work, thoughtful design, targeted testing, and innovative development,” she explains. “We’re decoding dosing, explaining ingredients, simplifying safety, and helping visitors choose the types of products they need to make the most of their health. Health In Hand is tested, trusted, and clear – a genuine reflection of our Foundation’s mission to continually help people understand how to safely choose and use self-care products.”

The website includes two new sections. “My Self-Care” tailors content to different life stages and age-specific categories, while “Healthy Living” focuses on health maintenance routines and daily self-care needs, such as choosing vitamins and supplements, staying safe in the sun, and maintaining healthy sleep habits.

Specific to dietary supplements, Health In Hand provides curated content with the facts people need to safely choose and use these products. The site also breaks down dietary supplement information for certain groups who may need higher levels of specific nutrients based on their diet or stage of life, including information for children, teens, and adults aged 65 and older.

The site also provides critical health information to women of all ages, including advice from experts on feminine hygiene and supplement information tailored to women who are currently pregnant, looking to conceive, or breastfeeding.  

“We’re simplifying self-care,” said Mary Leonard, Vice President of CHPA’s Educational Foundation. “Our newly updated mobile-friendly website means people will always have expert advice and dynamic content right at their fingertips, so they feel empowered to take self-care decisions into their own hands whether in the pharmacy aisle, on-the-go, or at their child’s bedside.”

Visit HealthInHand.org for more information.

(NewsUSA) - Spring is here, and what better way to celebrate than to perk up your car and your look at the same time. Auto Glass Now, the company known for fast, friendly, and convenient auto glass services, is extending their Spring Fixin’ giveaway through Wednesday, March 22. A total of 23 lucky winners will receive a free pair of special Ray-Ban shades just in time for the start of spring.

The giveaway invites entrants to share their spring break plans at SpringFixin.com for a chance to win. The contest runs through 11:59 pm March 22, 2023, and is open to anyone in the U.S.

“Spring is right around the corner, and we are excited to help our lucky winners see clearly as they enjoy their spring break in style,” said Michael Lopez, president, Auto Glass Now. “We help customers get rid of chips or cracks on their windshields, and now we’re taking it to the next level so you can enjoy some fun in the sun.”

After March 22, the 23 winners will be selected at random and notified through email. They must respond within five business days to receive their prize.

“I’m thrilled that we can continue doing the work we love, and excited to give back to our valued customers,” Lopez said. "Our Auto Glass Now family is committed to offering customers the best quality auto glass repairs and replacement, at an incredible value, providing us with loyal and happy customers," he added.

For more information, the rules governing the giveaway, and to enter, visit SpringFixin.com.

About Auto Glass Now

Auto Glass Now offers fast, friendly, and convenient auto glass services across the country with almost 100 locations throughout the United States. The local team of experts can help provide trusted auto glass repairs, replacements, and calibrations. A part of the Driven Brands family of automotive aftermarket companies, Auto Glass Now delivers national scale and efficiency, alongside its premier service quality. Visit AutoGlassNow.com to learn more.

About Driven Brands

Driven Brands™, headquartered in Charlotte, NC, is the largest automotive services company in North America, providing a range of consumer and commercial automotive needs, including paint, collision, glass, vehicle repair, oil change, maintenance and car wash. Driven Brands is the parent company of some of North America's leading automotive service businesses including Take 5 Oil Change®, Take 5 Car Wash®, Meineke Car Care Centers®, Maaco®, 1-800-Radiator & A/C®, Auto Glass Now®, and CARSTAR®. Driven Brands has more than 4,800 locations across 15 countries, and services over 50 million vehicles annually. Driven Brands' network generates approximately $2 billion in annual revenue from more than $5.6 billion in system-wide sales.

(NewsUSA) - Every Other Weekend by Anthony Mohr

Shuttling between two fathers and coming of age at a time when divorce is rare and viewed as shocking, the author writes of living at the edges of what others regard as a dream world, a place where reality and fantasy blend, maps lead to the homes of the stars, and obstacles abound.

Anthony's father is a well-known radio actor before slipping to the Hollywood B-list thanks to the advent of television. Accepting the lead in a dying Swedish TV series, he falls for the script girl and divorces Mohr's mother, who marries another divorcee, a credit card industry pioneer.

As his stepfather's career rises and his biological father's eases downward, Anthony tries to find his place: one weekend sailing on a 58-foot catamaran, the next being told he is poor. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3Z50vM5.

The Sundial Inn by Stephen John Ross

A paranormal horror with a streak of dark humor. On a return flight from a dream vacation at the Sundial Inn in the outskirts of New Orleans, Tim and Sara find themselves covered in bruises with no memory of the past three days. The mystery deepens once they learn the inn had ceased operations many decades earlier in 1954.

Plagued with lucid nightmares, Sara struggles to return to her normal life while Tim returns to New Orleans in search of answers. Aided by a local clairvoyant Mrs. Lizzie, the secrets of the Sundial Inn and its founder, Atticus Busby, are unearthed. There’s more to the inn than meets the eye, and Tim begins to realize that his own connection to it is much darker than he could have guessed. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3Gwv5FP.

Royal Coconut Beach Lunch Club by Diane Bergner

Julia Wild is thrilled to trade her legal briefcase for stiletto heels and a glam wardrobe when she accepts the position as high-society fundraiser at a prestigious performing arts center. But the gala lifestyle is a minefield. There’s the punishing schedule, her boss is having an affair with an important donor, and someone is trying to sabotage her. But she weakens to the seduction of elite social circles.

The deeper Julia is drawn in, the more fantasy and reality blur, and fault lines in her marriage surface – especially when she meets a debonair Argentinian billionaire. It is only when suspicion caused by an untimely death blows up the carefully constructed glittering mask of the moneyed set that Julia must decide how willing she is to risk everything. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3Ka54Qg.

Starstruck by Michael Kutza

“Starstruck: How I Magically Transformed Chicago into Hollywood for More Than Fifty Years” is the author’s rollicking, provocative, racy, colorful, irreverent show business memoir culled from decades of rubbing elbows with the giants of film at both the Chicago Film Festival, which he founded, and numerous other festivals around the globe.

It was a roller-coaster ride that lasted for almost half a century, with Kutza presiding over gatherings that hosted a Who’s Who of the film world – from Harold Lloyd to Clint Eastwood, Bette Davis to Viola Davis, Steven Spielberg to Spike Lee, Guillermo del Toro to Jodie Foster, Lauren Bacall to Al Pacino. At the same time, the festival introduced a plethora of new talent that would go on to revolutionize the movie business, from Martin Scorsese on. Purchase at https://bit.ly/40E0lMe.
 

BookTrib’s Bites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - Teaching children about money is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. Start when they’re young with simple lessons like saving up to buy a toy. You can build upon those lessons as they get older and become responsible for things like buying their own car or preparing their finances for college.

Talking about money isn’t always easy, especially if you don’t trust your own money management skills. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional can boost your self-confidence and help you create a plan that supports your family members in understanding their finances.

Little Kids

When your kids are very young, stick to the basics. Explain three things you can do with money: Spend it, save it or give it away. Show them how to divide money they get from gifts or an allowance by putting a portion into savings or donating to a charity, and then allow them to spend the rest.

Also, share how you make money decisions for the family when you shop, cook and pay bills.

Teens

When teenagers get their first job, they get hands-on experience with budgeting. They learn to allocate money they earn to buy what they need, such as gas for their car. It’s also the perfect time to teach them about taxes. Go over their first paycheck and point out payroll deductions, explaining how the system works.

And when your teen is ready, introduce them to the magic of compound interest and the basics of investing.

College Students

Once your child reaches college age, engage in more straightforward money conversations. Discuss spending and cost-saving strategies. Go over student loan and credit card debt, making sure they understand their statements, interest rates, loan terms and repayment options.

Adult Children

With adult children, the type of money conversations you have will depend on whether they’re living on their own or with you. If your child still lives with you, strike a balance between helping them and protecting your own financial well-being, perhaps even drawing up a move-in agreement to keep everyone on the same page.

Regardless of where they live, speak to your children about your estate plan. Explain who you’ve designated to serve as your estate executor (the person responsible for distributing your estate and paying any remaining debts).

Make your children aware of the option of working with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional to build a more successful and financially secure future. To find a CFP^® professional near you, visit LetsMakeAPlan.org. 

(NewsUSA) - A new poll paints a troubling picture of how anxious Americans are about their finances.

Nearly half of respondents said they didn’t feel “financially stable,” according to the survey from financial services firm Edward Jones and Morning Consult, and 29 percent admitted to having less than $500 in their emergency savings fund.

That’s right, less than $500.

Anyone who’s been to the supermarket lately – the price of a dozen eggs in January was up 70% from the same time last year – can guess one of the main reasons for that low savings rate.

“People have been facing turbulent times,” said Meagan Dow, senior strategist at Edward Jones.  “Understandably, inflation is forcing consumers to spend more on necessities, like housing and groceries, while market conditions are startling investors, so savings are falling low on the priority list.”

How to take control when so much seems out of our control?  If, like most respondents, you measure “financial wellness” as being free of debt and worries over monthly bills, and having enough money to care for your family, read on for ways to move forward:

• Build three to six months’ worth of living expenses in savings to cover emergencies.  Keep in mind that even a few hundred dollars can help improve your financial stability, so start small and celebrate your progress. The specific amount to ultimately target depends on variables like whether your car is on its last leg, or your house is in an area prone to natural disasters.  “There’s also your risk of temporary loss of income to consider, especially if you're a single earner or have job insecurity,” said Dow. "The higher your risks, the more you'll want to save."
   
• Save enough for your unique retirement needs. This year the average senior can count on only $21,924 from Social Security, with the maximum benefit for those retiring in 2023 and claiming at age 70 being $54,660. Most people won't want to solely rely on Social Security for their retirement income. 
  
  Which means, if at all possible, you'll want to be saving money now. At a minimum, you should contribute enough to take full advantage of any employer match for a 401(k) or other employer plan. A match is essentially free money, and generally a 50% or 100% return on your  contributions. Then look to increase your savings over time, ideally at least annually or whenever you get a raise. "Many plans offer a feature to  automatically increase your contributions, making it easier than ever to boost your savings," said Dow.
  
  And if you're working but don't have access to an employer plan or have maxed out your contributions? You may be able to save in an IRA. For  2023, you can contribute up to $6,500 if you have taxable compensation, or $7,500 you’re age 50 or older. Although a Roth IRA has income limitations that may prevent you from contributing the full amount, a backdoor Roth strategy allows you to contribute to a Roth IRA even if you exceed those income limitations. A financial advisor can help determine if this strategy makes sense for you.
   
• Pay down debt.  Start with high-interest, non-deductible debt. The most common form of this is credit card debt, but any high-interest debt is likely to cost you more in interest than you can expect to earn on your investments. Take a look at the "Minimum Payment Warning" box on your statement to see how paying extra can save you in interest payments, and significantly shorten how long it will take you to pay off your balance.
  
  Then you can focus on paying down other debt, starting with the highest after-tax interest rate. "Target a debt-to-income ratio (DTI) of 35% or  lower if you have a mortgage, and 20% or lower if you don't," said Dow. To calculate your DTI, divide your monthly debt payments by your gross monthly income.

Interestingly, the survey also found that those who said they used a financial advisor, instead of trying a do-it-yourself approach, were twice as likely to feel confident about their present and future financial situations. A trusted local advisor at Edward Jones can help you create a roadmap to work toward your own financial wellness.      

(NewsUSA) -  

Have you considered using solid hardwood cabinetry and millwork in your bathroom, but hesitated given the constant humidity? In fact, as long as the room is properly ventilated, and the wood surfaces treated with a moisture-resistant finish—like tung oil, polyurethane, or varnish—such favorites as oak, walnut, cherry, and maple will stand up well to a steamy environment. “Real American Hardwood® products can be used in the bathroom to add warmth, texture, and character to a space that may feel cold and clinical,” says Linda Jovanovich of the American Hardwood Information Center. “And it adapts to any style, from the cozily traditional to the coolly contemporary.” Here are six bathrooms that do just that.

Everything’s bright and breezy in this Minneapolis bathroom by Swan Architecture (@swanarchitecture) and Lucy Interior Design (@lucyinteriordesign): nickel-gap shiplap on the end wall and bath surround; shiny chrome sconces and sink fittings; canvas duck Roman shades. But the beachy, upbeat vibe is cleverly balanced by the custom walnut vanity, a solidly handsome piece that strikes a more substantial note without being overly serious. Photograph by Spacecrafting

Architects Hsu McCullough (@hsumccullough) show mastery of subtle color and texture in this Los Angeles bathroom. Slate-gray cement tiles on the floor and pale-smoke marble tiles on the walls provide a quietly glamorous setting for the main event: a custom vanity of lightly bleached white oak with a clear matte sealer—Rubio Monocoat, derived from natural plant oils—that allows the full beauty of the wood to shine through. Photograph by Dan Arnold Photo

Cerusing—also known as “liming”—is the application of white-pigmented, non-toxic wax sealers to porous wood to bring out the natural grain without changing its color. Architects Michael McKinley and Associates (@mckinleyarchitects) make expert use of the finish for this custom cerused-oak vanity in a Connecticut bathroom. White subway wall tiles, chrome fittings and mirror frames, and oak flooring set the honey-tone cabinetry off to perfection. Photograph by Jason McGrail

Two firms, Milieu (@milieu_design_spokane) and Designology (@designologyluxuryinteriors), worked on the makeover of the guest bathroom in a Wellington, Florida, equestrian estate. The glass door lets the great outdoors in, but the interior is totally urbane. A pair of vintage mirrors salvaged from an old steamship set the sophisticated tone, which is echoed in the polished bronze faucets and matching pulls on the custom maple vanity—a sleek design finished in Rustic Gray stain by Sherwin Williams. Photograph by Ken Hayden

For the renovation of an undistinguished 1980s colonial house in Minneapolis, architect Meriwether Felt turned the bland main bathroom into a sophisticated retreat with a somewhat rustic feel by installing characterful cherry moldings, trims, and casings. “The stained wood warms up the bathroom and provides richness,” Felt says. “The client asked for a luxurious yet elegant feeling, and cherry fit the bill perfectly.” Photograph by Susan Gilmore

Modern Scandinavian design inspired the main bathroom in a Santa Monica, California, house by Hamilton Architects (@hamiltonarchla); ergo, the clean lines, warm materials, and uncluttered forms that characterize the effortlessly chic, spa-like space. Chief among the scene-setting elements are the sculptural tub, graphic black faucets, and the custom floating vanity. The rift-sawn white-oak cabinetry is an unbroken expanse that’s free of hardware or other visually distracting details. Photograph by Paul Barnaby

Visit www.hardwoodinfo.com for more about using American hardwoods in the bathroom.

(NewsUSA) - From election-season opinion polls to holiday-season parties, “fake news” is everywhere – and the harm goes beyond what’s said on the evening broadcast or the dinner table.

The new Intelligence Interim Panel Report from the bipartisan Special Competitive Studies Project argues that technological advances in artificial intelligence and new media platforms such as TikTok allow for more messages, real and fake, to flood the open information environment. Many people repeat fake news without realizing that it is fake, according to the report. Fake news may be disinformation or outright propaganda from foreign governments.

“U.S. rivals increasingly resort to the aggressive use of digitally enabled disinformation to target U.S. decision-making, America’s reputation abroad, and social cohesion at home,” according to the report. "The scale, scope and the snowballing effect of these influence operations make disinformation a particularly acute concern for national security.”

Older social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have tried to mitigate disinformation after facing years of criticism of spreading news and information most likely to be shared, with no verification of authenticity.

The newer and popular TikTok platform poses additional risks; its endless and rapid-fire scroll means users have less time and inclination to scrutinize what they see. Some in the national security sector also suspect the platform of providing data to the Chinese Communist Party leadership.

The report recommends several ways the U.S. can counter false information, including communicating common false narratives and themes to Americans and “prebunking” false information that is likely to enter the mainstream. The U.S. did this earlier this year when it alerted Americans of Russia’s intent to invade Ukraine, preempting Russian disinformation campaigns about the conflict and building American support for Ukraine, a strategy the report states “should be replicated whenever possible.”

The report also advises fighting AI with AI by training machines how to identify dangerous, harmful and false information. People play a role, too; all Americans can support digital literacy. Stay skeptical of your social media by checking sources, authors and dates, reading beyond the headlines and beyond the individual news items, checking biases and asking experts.

“Technology certainly challenges democracy,” said former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice at the recent Global Emerging Technology Summit. “But to the extent we can point out and replicate those places where technology helps the citizens to live better without fearing government, democracy will have the edge.”

Visit scsp.ai to learn more.

(NewsUSA) - Murder Baby by G.J. Stoutimore

This is not a fairy tale.
This is a nightmare.

A young orphan seeks vengeance against the Yakuza man who killed her parents…A jaded Ronin seeks out an old colleague before enacting a last ritual…and an ancient demon taunts a former Knight of a holy order from the blade of her ancient samurai sword. This is the story of Raffi Okamoto, the Last Knight of Sadira.

Murder Baby is the debut entry in a twisted, dark fantasy novel series from the mind of
G.J. Stoutimore. It is a story of demons, angels, the humans that fight their wars, and
the lives left broken and buried in their wake. It tells a tale of belonging, the testing of kinship, loss, trauma, identity, and death. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3WgKi4q.

My Name’s Not Jenny by Jeannine Lokey

Though written as a fictional novel, this book is based on the true story of three accomplished individuals who come together after finding themselves faced with major life-changing events. It is a moving and emotionally charged account of doing the right thing despite all odds.

Regardless of criticism from family members and friends, Joseph’s devotion was uncompromising and his love for Anna undeniable. A devoted mother and wife of the CEO of a multibillion-dollar financial institution, Anna is faced with a difficult decision.

Banking executive Jillian, with nowhere to go but up, is faced with her own crushing blows. At the height of her career, she throws in the towel to help Joseph stay the course. A must-read for anyone considering In-Home Assisted Living for a loved one. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3vgq0MK.

Lemon Curd Killer by Laura Childs

High tea and high fashion turn deadly in this latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series.

Tea shop entrepreneur Theodosia Browning has been tapped to host a fancy Limón Tea in a genuine lemon orchard as a rousing kickoff to Charleston Fashion Week. But as fairy lights twinkle and the scent of lemon wafts among the tea tables, the deadly murder of a fashion designer puts the squeeze on things.

As the lemon curd begins to sour, the murdered woman’s daughter begs Theodosia to help find the killer. Tea events and fashion shows must go on, however, which puts Theodosia and her tea sommelier, Drayton Conneley, in the thick of squabbling business partners, crazed clothing designers, irate film producers, drug deals, and a disastrous Tea Trolley Tour. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3vuOT7x.

From Scratch by David Moscow & Jon Moscow

“Adventurous Anthony Bourdain-esque eaters and readers will savor David Moscow’s every word,” says Reader’s Digest,  “as he travels far (Ciao, sea of Sardinia) and near (howdy, Texas plains) to learn from farmers, hunters, fisherfolk, and scientists about how our food reaches our plates.”

Moscow, creator and star of the groundbreaking series “From Scratch,” takes us on an exploration of our planet’s complex and interconnected food supply, showing us where our food comes from and why it matters in this new book of global culinary adventures – a Publishers Weekly bestseller.

Moscow has spent four years going around the world, meeting with rock-star chefs, and sourcing ingredients within local food ecosystems. He brings back stories of the communities, workers, and environments involved—some thriving, some in jeopardy, all interconnected with food. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3JzOOHZ.

BookTrib’s Bites is presented by BookTrib.com.

Revised 3/7/2023

(NewsUSA) - March is National Reading Month, and the Toys for Tots Literacy Program continues its commitment to helping children “Unplug and March into Reading” by placing books into the hands of less fortunate children and encouraging families to unplug from their screens and electronic devices and enjoy a book together!

Literacy is the foundation for success in life, and it starts with early access to books in childhood.  Unfortunately, children in low-income families have very limited access to age-appropriate books.

The Toys for Tots Literacy Program was established in 2008 as a year-round effort to offer our Nation’s most economically disadvantaged children the ability to compete academically and to succeed in life by providing them direct access to books and educational resources that enhance their ability to read and communicate effectively. “This Program not only brings the joy of reading to these children, but it also serves as an important tool in breaking the cycle of poverty,” says Lieutenant General Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), President and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Our goal is to dramatically change the landscape for less fortunate children and provide books and educational resources to ensure their future success,” he adds.

Since its founding, the Program has delivered more than 53 million books to children in low-income communities and Title I funded schools across the United States. Last year, the Program delivered a record number of over 6.3 million books to disadvantaged children—breaking the cycle of poverty one book at a time.

Most people know Toys for Tots as the organization that brings holiday cheer to children in need with gifts of new toys, but Toys for Tots remains committed to the welfare of children throughout the year with initiatives such as the Toys for Tots Literacy Program. One hundred percent of each dollar donated goes toward purchasing books for economically disadvantaged children.

“By getting books into the hands of less fortunate students, teachers, and families, we are helping children become their best selves,” LtGen Laster emphasizes. Children who have developed strong reading skills perform better in school and have a healthier self-image and a stronger sense of well-being.

All children can improve their reading comprehension skills by unplugging from screens and reading books themselves, playing word games, and reading aloud with family members. Unplug and March into reading with family, peers, or get lost in a book by yourself—and consider making a donation to the Toys for Tots Literacy Program to bring the transformative power of reading to all children.

Visit toysfortots.org for more information about the Toys for Tots Literacy Program and to donate.