JetBlue’s Soar with Reading Initiative Expands to Puerto Rico

Partnership with Little Free Library Brings Book-Sharing Boxes to the Island

JetBlue launched its fourteenth annual Soar with Reading initiative, this year in partnership with Little Free Library, with a commemorative book sharing event at Centro Tau Community Center in Loíza, Puerto Rico. Proud to be Puerto Rico’s largest airline, JetBlue together with Little Free Library have placed seven library book-sharing boxes across Puerto Rico, creating increased access to literature for all ages.

About the Soar with Reading Initiative

“We are excited to bring our beloved Soar with Reading program to the island for the first time, helping connect more youth with the joys of reading and imagination,” said Icema Gibbs, vice president of CSR and DEI, JetBlue. “With seven physical Little Free Library book-sharing boxes placed within key community centers across Puerto Rico, we demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to valuable educational resources for our crewmembers, customers and the communities we serve.”

History of the Initiative

Since 2015, JetBlue’s award-winning Soar with Reading initiative has tackled the issue of book availability in underserved communities where access to age-appropriate books for children is often limited. JetBlue and Little Free Library book-sharing boxes or ‘libraries’ are now available to residents within Puerto Rico’s Aguadilla, Ponce and San Juan communities.

How it Works

Each time someone visits a book-sharing box, they will have the opportunity to both leave and take home an assortment of new books, completely free of charge. The libraries, housed within local, high-traffic community centers, hold a varied selection of titles in both English and Spanish and allow visitors the opportunity to browse and choose a book with representative titles, authors, as well as suggested reading levels.

Impact and Partnerships

To date, JetBlue, through its Soar with Reading initiative, has donated more than $4 million worth of books to children in need. Publishing partners include Barefoot Books, Harper Collins, Lil’ Libros, Penguin Random House, Quarto, Scholastic and Somos Uno. JetBlue and Little Free Library book-sharing boxes are now within the following community centers across Aguadilla, Ponce and San Juan, Puerto Rico:

Conclusion

JetBlue’s Soar with Reading initiative is committed to increasing access to literature for all ages and promoting a love of reading in underserved communities. Through its partnership with Little Free Library, JetBlue is proud to bring this important program to Puerto Rico and looks forward to continuing its mission to inspire a love of reading in children and families across the island.

FAQs

Q: What is the Soar with Reading initiative?

A: The Soar with Reading initiative is a program launched by JetBlue to increase access to literature for all ages and promote a love of reading in underserved communities.

Q: Who is JetBlue partnering with for this initiative?

A: JetBlue is partnering with Little Free Library to bring book-sharing boxes to Puerto Rico.

Q: How many book-sharing boxes have been placed in Puerto Rico?

A: Seven book-sharing boxes have been placed in key community centers across Puerto Rico.

Q: What types of books are available in the book-sharing boxes?

A: The book-sharing boxes hold a varied selection of titles in both English and Spanish, including representative titles, authors, and suggested reading levels.

Q: Is the program free?

A: Yes, the program is completely free of charge, and visitors can take home an assortment of new books each time they visit a book-sharing box.