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The Books For Soldiers program started in 1991 during the Gulf War. Over 1000 used paperback books were sent to soldiers serving in the Gulf. Getting involved with the Books for Soldiers program is easy and there are many ways your students make this project a service-learning experience. More importantly, this type of project can be a group effort with many classes and subjects participating. For example:

• English students can research the most popular title requests that soldiers have asked for and coordinate the donation of these titles within the community at local bookstores, community centers, churches, synagogues and temples, etc. They could also host a book drive in the school. They can create a short newsletter or informational sheet that lets community members know about the Books for Soldiers project and highlights the book titles that soldiers want to read.
• Once the English students collect the books, Life Skills students can help organize, count and prepare them for shipping. Students can further practice their personal writing skills by including a personal note with each book.
• Computer students can make a database and input the addresses where the books are to be sent.  From this database, labels can be created for the packages that the Life Skills students have prepared for shipping. They can also send out emails to teachers, parents and community groups, soliciting names of local soldiers who are stationed overseas so that they can add them to the "Books for Soldiers" website.
• All students can monitor the journey of the books they collect and donate via the "Books for Soldiers" website, http://www.booksforsoldiers.com/.

1. Get an address: "Go to the Books for Soldiers online bulletin board for an address of a soldier, airman, marine or sailor. Scroll through the names and pick someone who has not had a request fulfilled."

2. Send the books: "Try to send what the soldier requests...Some will just request “anything.” If you have old paperback books that are in good shape, send them over...Try to send packages in something about the size of a shoe box or smaller for quick delivery. It is also a good time to send a note with the book; you could come away with a pen pal."

3. Tell "Books for Soldiers" you sent the books: "If you send a book, post it on the bulletin board under the soldiers name. This keeps soldiers from getting multiple copies of the same title."

4. Raise money for the "Books for Soldiers" program: Since they try and fill all requests that are left unfilled by people at home, donations are needed to help defray the shipping costs. The "average cost for a book package going to a soldier overseas is about $20; this includes the book, postage, brief note and a small care package...donations are deeply appreciated."

5. Post information about a soldier you know: If you or your students have a friend or loved one that is serving overseas, post their military addresses on the bulletin board. You can also post their unit’s military address so books can be sent to their whole unit.

6. Spread the word: "If you have co-workers who have family serving, please tell them about 'Books for Soldiers.'" You can also email your friends about the "Books for Soldiers" website or add our button to your website. (http://www.booksforsoldiers.com/getstarted.html)