See our Online Bookdrives here.

It’s hard to learn to read without books.

More than 15% of the children in the United States live in poverty. On average, these kids have one or two age appropriate books in their homes. Sixty-one percent of the children in low-income families have no books at all. And while the national average estimates 18 books per student in school libraries, many schools in depressed areas often have less than one book per student.

Recent studies confirm that the availability of reading material is the strongest predictor of a child's ability to read and later academic achievement. Yet millions of at-risk elementary school-aged children are without this basic resource. Someone needs to believe in these children before they can believe in themselves. And the Heart of America Foundation® does.

Our vision is simple. Focus on the child. Be proactive and volunteer-driven. Use the Heart of America Foundation®’s unique ambassador network to introduce young people to community service, involving them in book drives. Build community by asking those who have to help those less fortunate. Books From The Heart® finds books that are not being used and gets them to where they’re needed most...into the hands of poor children and onto the empty shelves at school libraries. The need is great...and your help is essential. No gift is too small. Every $2.50 donated to the Books From The Heart® program will provide at least one book for a needy child. [Capital One Associates, click here for online book drives]

What Our Recipient Schools Are Saying About Books From The Heart®

“It is very rewarding to have a program such as the Heart of America to provide books to our students.... We know of no other organization that extends the value of reading to our students as your program does.”
Barbara McElwain, Principal, Clark Elementary School, Washington, DC

“Over the last three years you have given thousands of books to our school. It is hard to imagine the encouragement, joy and knowledge you have shared with our community. It is even harder to adequately describe what your consistent generosity has meant to our school family. Without your commitment to the families and young people of our community we would be unable to offer the boys and girls the depth of reading materials needed to increase their reading skills and enhance their reading enjoyment.”
Karyn Barra, Principal, Mary H. Plummer Elementary School, Washington, DC

“Thank you for the wonderful experience in reading our students and teachers had today. Because of your gifts to us, many children will read this summer who otherwise would not have had books to read. In addition, I appreciate the spirit of the volunteers. They were so energetic and helpful, and seemed to enjoy what they did.” Carole L. Riggs, Ed. D, Assistant Principal, Graham Road Elementary School, Falls Church, VA

“Our parents and students come from various social and economic backgrounds. Many of them are not able to afford supplemental reading material...we know that the availability of reading materials for children is one of the strongest predictors of academic achievement. It is our endeavor to provide our students numerous rich and rewarding educational experiences. Together we are making this goal a reality.”
Ruth Hodges, Ed. D, Principal, Thomas Stone Elementary School, Mt. Ranier, MD