Books For Troops Collection Kicks Off Oct. 1

This just in from Books for Troops:

It’s back.

Starting Oct. 1, Books for Troops will be collecting paperbacks for it’s annual book drive in support of deployed troops around the world. Volunteer support is being provided by Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts of America this year.

“We are so excited about all of the community support we are receiving this year. Everyone is stepping up to participate in some way” said Patricia Murphy, Executive Director of Books for Troops.

HISTORY

In May 2011, while delivering magazines to the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa, Murphy was approached by a young man in a wheelchair.

“This young man that couldn’t have been more than 20 years old and had lost his leg in the war was thanking me. He said “Being here, remembering has been so hard...the magazines help me get through it. Help me keep my mind off everything.”  We chatted for a little while and he said he wished he had an outlet like reading while he was deployed. He wasn’t living on base then. He lived in a tent on the outskirts of a small village in Iraq. 

I thanked him for his service and as I stepped into the elevator I burst into tears. 

When I got home I realized that this was a project that means something to people. It’s little but it makes a huge difference and that was the beginning of Books for Troops.”

Since that day Books for Troops has shipped over 15,000 books to troops overseas and delivered 5,000 books to local veterans. “It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve those that do so much for us every day,” said Murphy.

This Year

This year there will be collection sites throughout north Tampa. “We are accepting action adventure, suspense, mystery, comedy & comic books. Any books that the Troops can read during their down time. The most important thing is that they are in very good condition. Some of the books will be delivered to hospitals and nursing homes and it is imperative that they are clean,” Murphy said, “We CAN NOT accept books about religion, the apocalypse or pornographic materials.”

If you would like to volunteer, host a collection box or make a donation please contact Patricia Murphy for more information at BooksforTroops.org, email BooksforTroops@verizon.net or friend them on Facebook.com/BooksforTroops.

2013 Books for Troops Collection Sites

Carrollwood

• Book Swap, 13144 North Dale Mabry Highway  Tampa, FL 33618     (813) 963-6979

Land O Lakes

• Land O Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway Land O' Lakes, FL 34639      (813) 929-1220

• Stagecoach Clubhouse, 3632 Mossy Oak Cir Land O Lakes, Fl 34639

Lutz

• Ballantre Clubhouse, 17611 Mentmore Blvd.  Land O’ Lakes, FL 34638

• Oakstead Clubhouse, 3038 Oakstead Boulevard  Land O' Lakes, FL 34638-8060

Wesley Chapel

• Country Walk Clubhouse, 30400 Country Point Blvd., Wesley Chapel, FL, 33543

• Grand Hampton Clubhouse, 8301 Dunham Station Drive  Tampa, FL  33647

• Lexington Oaks, 26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd Wesley Chapel, Fl 33544

• Meadow Pointe III Clubhouse, 1500 Meadow Pointe Blvd   Wesley Chapel, FL 33543     813-973-1671

• Precision Kia Wesley Chapel, 28555 State Road 54  Wesley Chapel, FL 33545

• Saddlebrook Resort Clubhouse, 5700 Saddlebrook Way • Wesley Chapel, Florida 33543     {813} 973-1111 

• Seven Oaks Clubhouse, Ancient Oaks Boulevard  Wesley Chapel, FL 33544     (813) 579-5722