Programs

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 4,230 books, 1,962 movies, 381 CD's, and 182 puzzles as of August 15th, 2025. 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 nine 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 130 puzzles and 120 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  

• In November 2024, we provided over 500 books to Baton Rouge Soldier Outreach since we learned of unit's request of books
• Since January 2025, we've shipped 54 books directly to a unit upon request. 

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: 

• Over 150 paperback books provided to LANG (Louisiana National Guard) for members deploying. 
• 150 movies and 162 books for Southeastern Louisiana University Military and Veteran Success House - a dormitory for veterans and military-connected students. This is just one of four universities in the nation with a such a dorm for service related members. 
• In June 2024 we provided a new bookshelf and 101 books to a local military unit so items were on hand for members.
• In Spring 2025, we provided 8 new metal book carts and over 450 books to Louisiana National Guard Child and Youth Services to place in all 8 locations in Louisiana for adult military members visiting those locations. 
• In mid July 2025, we provided another 350 books for restocking bookshelves at Louisiana National Guard locations.

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. 

• Louisiana National Guard, Child and Youth Services:
  • March 2025: We donated 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. We also supplied 8 new wooden bookshelves on wheels to help hold items at all 8 locations in Louisiana. 
  • July 2025: We delivered 1,040 children's books and items for restocking our established children's bookshelves
• Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program (Carville): 
  • In April and May 2025 we've been able to provide over 150 books and numerous craft supplies.
  • In July, we donated over 250 additional educational books are resources