Through the Marine Toys for Tots Literacy Program, preschool through eighth grades will each receive 1,400 books delivered to Westgate Middle School. Pre-kindergarten students Andy Chaudron and Rory Reed are excited that they will soon receive a new book to read. (Submitted photo)

EAST LIVERPOOL — East Liverpool City Schools ELCS) is able to provide each student in preschool through eighth grade with a free book through the literacy grant the district received from the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation Literacy Program.

Megan Hernandez, communications, ELCS, said this grant will provide young learners throughout the district with high quality books at no cost, which will help them build home libraries to strengthen literacy beyond the classroom.

For students like Rory Reed and Andy Chaudron who love to read, this is exciting news.

Rory said she really likes to read, and she is really excited that she is getting a free book to read. Her favorite stories to read are the ones from the Junie B Jones series.

Andy said his favorite kind of books are joke books, and he is hoping to get one when the books are handed out.

“Books are always important,” pre-kindergarten teacher Miranda Cunningham said. “Because of books, Rory reads about 20 sight words already and she is only in preschool. Those books will help us read and give us new exciting things to read.”

The Marine Toys for Tots Literacy Program, according to a media release from the school district, is a nationwide initiative launched in 2008 to provide year-round access to books and educational resources for economically disadvantaged children. The program, through its partnerships with Title 1 schools and organizations, works to foster a love of reading while helping to break the cycle of poverty.

“Access to books is a powerful way to open doors for our students,” Hernandez said. “This grant ensures our preschool through eighth grade Potters have opportunities to grow as readers, build confidence and develop a lifelong love of learning. We are incredibly grateful to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation for investing in our students and community.”

The district recently took delivery of a pallet with 19 cases containing a total of 1,400 books ranging from beginning readers to chapter books, which will be handed out to each of the students.

In 2025, the Toys for Tots Literacy Program distributed 2.8 million books and since the program’s inception, they have provided more than 63 million books to children nationwide.

“Literacy is essential not only for academic growth, but also for communication, social interaction and future opportunities,” the media release said. “Without access to books, many children face challenges in developing these critical skills. The Toys for Tots Literacy Program directly addresses this need by placing books into the hands of children who need them most.”

According to the media release, The Toys for Tots foundation partners with the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA) supporting Title 1 schools which further strengthens its impact in communities like East Liverpool.

“East Liverpool City Schools extends its sincere gratitude to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation for investing in the future of Potter students and helping ignite a lifelong love of reading,” Hernandez said.