Faith Hill does not need to look far to understand the devastating effects of illiteracy. She can look to her father, who never learned to read past a fourth-grade level.

"My dad had to drop out of school at a young age to help support his family," Hill says. "Later on in life, around the time I was starting a family, I realized what he must have endured and how brave he was. I thought about the fact that others shouldn't have to go through life the same way."

That realization inspired her to found the Faith Hill Family Literacy Project in 1996. The organization helps Hill collect books, raise money for literacy groups and encourage others to get involved. And though her father, Ted, was Hill's original motivation, he's not the only one. Her own two daughters played a part. "Not only did I see the importance of reading," Hill says, "but I realized that a book is a mechanism to bring children and adults (be it a parent, teacher, friend) together."

Although she created the Project because of a few people close to her, it has touched thousands of others. Last year when she went on tour, she encouraged her audience to bring children's books to her concerts and to Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores, which sponsor Hill's tour. The books were donated to schools, libraries, daycare facilities and shelters. "We collected more than a million books over three months," she says. "We put books in people's hands. That is the bottom line."

Hill has also appeared in public service announcements and given money to such organizations as the Nashville Public Library and the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL). During the summer, as she toured with her country singer husband Tim McGraw, they raised additional funds for NCFL and other charities by auctioning memorabilia over the Internet. "She's helping us by donating money and books to parents and children who don't have them," says Sharon Darling, the NCFL president and founder (pictured). "More importantly, she's really using her visibility to create awareness of illiteracy. She's such a credible advocate. It really touches her heart."

Hill's meteoric career (she has sold more than 18 million albums, and the Academy of Country Music has twice named her Best Female Vocalist) may be the stuff of storybooks, but she's just as passionate about helping children and families achieve their own happy endings. "I hope that I can give an adult the inspiration to teach a child to read, or a child, who might not have the resources to learn how to read, the resources he or she needs," Hill says.

"I guess in the end, and this might sound corny to say, but if I can be the catalyst for one child, make a difference in developing his or her reading skills, then I've accomplished my mission."