It touched my heart.

A drive to raise enough donated credits from its members to gift poor schools with free books just touched me. Kids who would just LOVE to have a book of their own can do so if PaperbackSwap members just donate a couple of their unused credits to the book drive.

The goal is to donate 25,000 books to the schools, which will be given in turn to the students to use in classes or keep. Many of the schools targeted in the drive have had their book budgets slashed by local school boards, and have few to share with their students.

All of the selected schools in this year’s book drive have a high percentage of students who eat subsidized school lunches. Many but not all have a high percentage of minority students. Some are located in regions hard-hit by the recession as well as longer-term industrial blight, such as Michigan. Some students have never owned a book of their own.

At this point, six schools are completed; three are currently logging donated credits from PaperbackSwap members. I donated five credits to the Godfrey Elementary School in Michigan. Its goal is 2000 books.

Members and future members of PaperbackSwap can read more about the program and the schools involved at http://www.paperbackswap.com/donations/schools.php - and make a donation quickly and easily. The FAQ page about the book drive is at http://www.paperbackswap.com/help/help_item.php?id=618

Kick off your holiday giving with a simple, money-free and richly rewarding glow from donating a couple credits from your PaperbackSwap account.