Local group donates 1,000+ books to comfort young patients at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital

A local outreach effort is bringing comfort and smiles to young patients across the Coachella Valley.

The Jewish Men’s Outreach Group of the Desert has donated more than 1,000 children’s books to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital in Indio, helping stock the Scooters Bottomless Bookshelf program.

The program allows children visiting the hospital to pick out a book to take home—offering a sense of comfort during what can often be a stressful experience.

Organizers say the impact goes beyond just reading.

Volunteers with the program say kids are often excited and surprised when they see the bookshelf filled with options, including Spanish-language titles and books for all ages, from young children to teens.

The effort is a partnership with the Big Hearts for Little Hearts Guild, which created the bookshelf program and continues to support it through fundraising and donations.

Supporters say having access to books can help ease anxiety, provide a distraction during treatment, and give children something positive to focus on during their hospital stay.

For many families, it’s a small gesture that can make a big difference.

Organizers say they hope to continue expanding the program and keeping the shelves stocked—ensuring every child has the chance to take home a story of their own.

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