Give the Gift of Reading to Disadvantaged Children this Holiday

Branford Business Joins Toys for Tots Literacy Program to Bring Books to Children in Need

All children love books, but those living in poverty often don’t have access to them.  In low-income neighborhoods, the ratio is just one book for every 300 children. Without books, children don’t develop the reading skills needed to succeed in school or in life.

Branford-based Kabuki Helps (www.kabukihelps.com), a community of parents and teachers committed to making learning fun, has joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots Literacy Program to help put books in the hands of children most in need.

“The gift of a book this holiday season can make a huge difference for a child’s future,” said Lisa Hayes, founder of Kabuki Helps. “Literacy opens doors and can help break the cycle of poverty.”

To encourage donations, Kabuki Helps will pay for shipping to Toys for Tots on items purchased through its website for the Literacy Program. Books on the site are appropriate for children in Grades K-5. All are educational, as well as fun, helping children develop basic skills in math and reading.

Suggested books for the Literacy Program include:

·       Varun’s Quest, an engaging adventure for children in grades 3-4 that teaches them to think like scientists as they solve a mystery about the plants and animals.

·       The Cookie Thief, by Frances Gilbert, a clever story about honesty, geared to early readers and pre-readers

·       Elephant Blue, a book of children’s poetry that will be appreciated by children through age 10.

Shoppers also can support Toys for Tots when they purchase books as gifts for family and friends.  Ten percent of every purchase from Kabuki Helps goes to support a charity of the shopper’s choice. 

Use code Toy$TotsB to receive a 10 percent discount on purchases.

About Toys for Tots Literacy Program

The Toys for Tots Foundation has delivered gifts to economically disadvantaged children during the Christmas holiday since 1947. The mission of the Toys for Tots Literacy Program is to offer those children the ability to compete academically and succeed in life by providing them access to resources that will enhance their ability to read and to communicate effectively.

About Kabuki Helps

Kabuki Helps is a small company with a big vision: to bring creative books and educational games to children to make learning fun, while supporting worthy causes. Founded in 2013, the company offers products developed by independent authors and artisans. Each item on KabukiHelps.com was created by a parent or teacher with the intent of making learning fun. Ten percent of each sale goes straight to charity.