Books for Boots is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides new and gently used books, movies, music cd's, puzzles, and craft items to all members of our military - from injured recruits at basic training to veterans. To read about how we came to be, check out our story at https://booksforboots.org/about-us. Items and delivery (or shipping) are provided at no cost to the military, military members or their families, always.
Injured Recruits:
This is our original program - to establish mini libraries for all basic training locations for injured recruits. This goal consists of providing and shipping at least 500 books, 150 movies, 75 cd's, puzzles and approved craft items to every basic training location. After establishing these goals, maintenance shipments are sent to keep levels of items up. Since May 2023, Books for Boots has done this for five locations, shipping a total of: over 3,685 books, 1,797 movies, 381 CD's, and 159 puzzles as of February 11th, 2025 in under two years of operation. If storage items like bookshelves are also needed, we purchase and ship items directly to base for assembly and use. We've been able to provide and ship six bookshelves to one location to date. We know that having our items makes a difference for both recruits and leadership members alike.
Veterans:
We supply veterans homes with books and puzzles as needed or requested - while most local veterans homes have great book levels, we've been able to provide over 100 puzzles and 100 books to three local homes to date. When we receive items in, we always pull large print books and large piece puzzles to keep on hand for our veteran community. We love supporting other organizations that focus on veterans as well - if they would like to take some items to a veterans home they will be visiting, all they have to do is email us. Blue Star Mothers of Louisiana, Chapter 1 has done this in 2024 and we are happy to provide items anytime!
Overseas:
Started in Jan 2025, we've started shipping items overseas upon request. While lots of organizations offer care pages for troops overseas, we offer boxes of books, movies, cd's, and puzzles. If a care package organization has request for books, we are happy to ship directly to those troops on their behalf. An overseas unit can make a direct request for items on our Overseas Program page, https://booksforboots.org/overseas-program
Books in the Boot:
This program started in 2024 focuses on putting our items into local Louisiana military members hands to use. We've been able to provide:
Junior Boots:
Officially started in March 2025, our goals for this program are to support Louisiana's military children and families by providing age appropriate books, movies, puzzles, and additional items. We accept children's books, movies, and puzzles in great condition specifically for this purpose. We aspire to be a dependable and free resource for all military youth and child service programs in Louisiana for these items.
Since our initial delivery in March 2025, we've been able to provide over 1,400 children's books, 120 movies, 25+ puzzles, board games, 40+ parent resource books, activity and coloring books, and boxes of new art supplies.
Items that we can't use are donated to various organizations in our community - our way of giving back to the community that helps us achieve so much. We've been able to provide:
All donations go towards our shipping and operating costs. Our operating costs are extremely low - this website / digital services, a heavily discounted storage unit, boxes, tape, and address labels make up our operating expenses. We (volunteers) pay for the majority of t-shirts and marketing expenses out of pocket. In addition to shipping expenses, we sometimes provide bookshelves if a unit is in need of them for books we provide. Bookshelves are priced from several online stores and are generally under $60. They are shipped directly to location for assembly and use so we save from shipping twice. We strive to make sure every donation is stretched to the fullest extent possible.
Consider a Box sponsorship for $40 each box. This covers shipping expenses for a box of books for injured recruits. The majority of boxes are about 17” x 11” x 13” and can hold anywhere from 30 large hardback books to over 50 paperback books and weigh about 35-55lbs. If the actual cost of shipping is less than $40, the remaining portion would apply to costs for shipping other items, such as movies, CD’s, puzzles, or craft items.
Gather your new and / or gently used books, movies, music CD's, puzzles, or craft items and drop off today. Please see our "How to donate items" page from our website menu above. **Please** ensure items meet our guidelines before bringing to a location - See below for guidelines
Check out our shirts on Bonfire!! Orders are sent directly to the purchaser while proceeds are sent to us to help our mission. We personally recommend the classic unisex tee!
PayPal @Booksforboots
Venmo @Booksforboots
*Tax compliant donation receipts are sent immediately after all donations, regardless of method.
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