Marine Toys for Tots Literacy Program's Operation Turn the Page Initiative Packs Backpacks with Possibilities for Disadvantaged Children

TRIANGLE, Va., Aug. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- For millions of children across America, the back-to-school season is filled with excitement, opportunity, and promise. But for far too many, it begins without the most critical tool for success: the ability to read.

Every student deserves to walk into school equipped and embraced by the excitement of learning—not burdened by what they lack. That is why the Toys for Tots Literacy Program aims to pack students' backpacks with possibilities through Operation Turn the Page. This initiative will provide students living in low-income communities with educational tools and help fuel their journeys to success—igniting imaginations and building brighter tomorrows.

"A backpack, notebook, or set of pencils might seem like small items, but for a child who has none of these essentials, they represent hope, dignity, and the chance to start school on equal footing with their peers," says LtGen Laster, CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

National assessments show that two-thirds of American fourth graders are not reading proficiently—and more than a third are reading below grade level. Without early intervention, these children fall further behind—facing challenges in school that often carry into adulthood.

"Reading is the foundation for everything—education, opportunity, and lifelong success," LtGen Laster emphasizes. "With this initiative, we're not just providing books to children in need—we're providing hope, confidence, and the ability to dream bigger."

The Operation Turn the Page initiative focuses on reaching children in underserved communities who are attending Title I funded schools, where access to books and literacy resources is limited. By distributing high-quality, age-appropriate books through schools, libraries, and trusted community partners, the Program empowers children to strengthen reading skills—and unlock their full potential.

Recently, Toys for Tots partnered with the Tucson Police Department and local community leaders for the "Backpackin' for Children Campaign" which provided backpacks filled with school supplies and books to K–12 students across the local area.

When children received their backpacks, they didn't just receive supplies—they received a message that their entire community believes in them. Police officers, teachers, volunteers, and donors all came together to say, "We see your potential, and we're here to help you succeed."

Eight-year-old Sofia, beaming with joy, told an officer, "This is the best backpack I've ever had!" But her smile said even more: Thank you for believing in me.

"For many of the children we support, the books we provide might be the first book they've ever owned," LtGen Laster adds. "Each one is a building block toward a brighter future and will open a world of possibilities and opportunities for these children."

When supporters donate to the Operation Turn the Page initiative, they are helping the Toys for Tots Literacy Program provide direct access to educational resources to the children who need them most. In 2024, the Literacy Program delivered 2.8 million books—and built confidence for children who once felt left behind, helped to develop reading skills that created lifelong learners, and filled backpacks with pages possibilities.

To learn more about the Toys for Tots Literacy Program and to donate, visit https://www.toysfortots.org/programs/literacy-program/. Follow Toys for Tots on social media to stay updated on additional Back to School events happening later this month.

Together, we can transform every backpack into a vessel of hope and give children in need confidence as they step through the school doors ready to learn.

Media Contact:
Ted Silvester
VP Marketing and Development
(703) 649-2021
[email protected]

SOURCE Toys for Tots