Members of the Green Angel 4-H Book Club of Orangeburg are collecting gently used paperback books for military service men and women as part of "Operation Paperback."

Operation Paperback is a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit organization that has collected and shipped more than 800,000 books to locations around the globe since 1999.

According to the Operation Paperback Web site, http://www.operationpaperback.org/, "Many of our troops are serving far from home and living in facilities that provide few of the comforts of home. At the end of the duty day, the opportunity to escape into a good book is welcomed. Every week we receive thanks from troops who are glad to be appreciated and remembered."

Lisa Saxon, Green Angel 4-H Club member, said that giving these books and packing and shipping them gives her a good feeling.

"It is good to know that I have done something to help a soldier. When they get a chance to rest from work or fighting in the war, they might relax by reading a book that I sent," Saxon said.

According to Debra Wade, the Green Angels 4-H Book Club leader, specific requests are made from soldiers on a regular basis. They include works by popular authors (Clive Cussler, Stephen King), women's fiction, political affairs, crime, mystery and self-help books.

"I was touched to find that one soldier is interested in starting a library for youth who live in war-torn areas," Wade said. "He requested appropriate books for that."

Those who would like to donate gently used paperback books that do not contain objectionable or offensive subject matter can drop them off at the following locations: Edisto Primary School, Sheridan Elementary School, Howard Middle School and the Clemson Extension Service. The book drive will continue through April 30.

For more information, call Leigh Joyner at the Orangeburg County Clemson Extension Office, 803-534-6280.

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