Sad Facts

Sixty-one percent of lower income families have no children’s books in the home. This lack of books puts children at a disadvantage, because 75% of students who are poor readers in third grade remain poor readers in high school. The average number of books for this population is one book per 300 children. 

Through Operation Literacy, a part of our Operation School Bell® program, we hope to make an impact by making books available to children in lower income homes in the greater Atlanta area, many of whom have never had a book of their own. The focus of the program is children ages 1-12, but we also collect and distribute books for teenagers up to age 16. We believe reading stimulates children and forms their view of the world. The Operation Literacy team collects used children’s books year round, not just during our annual Book Drive. For the 2025-26 fiscal year they delivered a total of 6,117 books to area schools served by Operation School Bell. Assistance League member volunteers participate by donating money, purchasing books at thrift stores and used book sales, sorting donated books and packing them for distribution.