Local Scout’s book drive aims to collect 5,000 books for Texas Children’s Hospital patients
HUNTSVILLE, TX — In a heartwarming community effort, 13-year-old David Beaty II, a Life Scout from Troop 114 in Huntsville, Texas, has launched a charitable initiative called Operation Happy Books. This project, which serves as Beaty’s Eagle Scout service project, aims to collect new or gently used books for the young patients and families at Texas Children’s Hospital in The Woodlands. By encouraging donations of books, Beaty hopes to provide comfort, entertainment, and a sense of escape to children facing challenging medical situations.
The project stems from Beaty’s own childhood experience at the hospital. “When I was six, I got really sick and spent a whole day going through different tests at Texas Children’s Hospital,” Beaty explained. “In between the tests, my mom and I stopped at the hospital’s library, and I picked up a comic book. That book completely changed my experience that day—it made me laugh, and I forgot all about the doctors and the tests. The librarian even let me take it home, which made me so happy. That day, on the way home, I told my mom that one day I wanted to give back to the hospital, and now, through Operation Happy Books, I’m doing just that.”
The book drive officially launched on October 1, 2024, and will continue throughout the month. Beaty has set an initial goal of collecting 500 books, but he has his sights set even higher. “I hope we can surpass the 500-book goal and get closer to 5,000 books. That way, we can help not just the children in The Woodlands but also other Texas Children’s Hospital locations across the Houston area,” said Beaty. “Reading can be a powerful escape, especially for kids who are going through something tough. It helped me forget about the pain and fear I was feeling when I was sick, and I want to help other kids have that same experience.”
The project accepts books for all age groups—from board books for toddlers to adventure novels for teens. Texas Children’s Hospital serves children of all ages, and the library also welcomes books for parents who may need something to read while they’re spending time at the hospital. The hospital is particularly in need of books in Spanish and Braille, as well as books in other languages, to accommodate its diverse patient population.
Donations can be made in a variety of ways. For those in Huntsville, there are multiple drop-off locations around town, including Re-Read Used Books, the Josey Scout Lodge, First Baptist Church, Huntsville Public Library, First Presbyterian Church, and The Book Attic. Those who may not be able to drop off books in person can participate through an Amazon Wishlist that allows donors to purchase books online and have them shipped directly to the drive.
“We’ve made it as easy as possible for people to donate,” said Beaty. “We’ve got drop-off locations around town, but if that’s not convenient, you can just click a button on the Amazon Wishlist, and the books will be mailed directly to us. Every book counts.”
In addition to individual donations, Beaty is also inviting organizations and businesses to contribute large donations of books. “If your organization wants to help, we can arrange a pick-up for bigger donations. All you have to do is email us at operationhappybooks@gmail.com, and we’ll schedule a time that works for you.”
Operation Happy Books has already seen an outpouring of support from the Huntsville community, with over 150 books collected in the first few days alone. Beaty is confident that with continued support, they can reach their ambitious goal of 5,000 books. “This community has such a big heart, and I know we can come together to make this happen,” he said.
Beaty is also quick to acknowledge the many businesses, organizations, and individuals who have shown their support. “A lot of people and businesses have already stepped up to help, and I can’t thank them enough. We’ve had sponsors like Re-Read Used Books, First Baptist Church, and the Huntsville Public Library, and many others who are making a difference. And it’s not just here in Huntsville—we’ve had supporters from all over, and I’m so grateful.”
While Operation Happy Books is currently a local project, Beaty has aspirations for it to grow into something even bigger. “My goal is to transform Operation Happy Books into an official nonprofit so that we can keep this going year after year. I want to spread the joy of reading to as many children as possible, not just here in Huntsville but across the state and maybe even the country,” he explained. “There’s a project called ‘Scouting for Food’ where Scouts collect food for shelters, and it started as a small project before growing into something much bigger. I hope Operation Happy Books can follow a similar path.”
Through his dedication to the project, Beaty is not only fulfilling his Eagle Scout requirements but also serving as an inspiration to others in his community. When asked what message he would give to other young people going through difficult times, Beaty said, “Reading is a good escape. If you’re going through something tough, pick up a book. It can help take your mind off things and bring some happiness when you need it most.”
Operation Happy Books will continue accepting book donations through the end of October, and Beaty hopes to make this an annual event. For more information on how to donate or get involved, visit operationhappybooks.org.
The website provides details on drop-off locations, the Amazon Wishlist, and ways to arrange large donations. Beaty encourages everyone to spread the word and help make a difference for children facing tough times at Texas Children’s Hospital.
“I just want to make kids happy the way that book made me happy when I was in the hospital,” said Beaty. “That’s really what this is all about.”
For more details or to contribute, visit the Operation Happy Books website at operationhappybooks.org.
