One of the first things that I noticed when I started working at First Book were all of the pictures and drawings and cards from kids from all over the country thanking First Book for all of the new books they have received. They hang on the walls, doors and bulletin boards all over the national office with the same esteem as our awards and well wishes from celebrities. As always, the simplest expressions of a kid can be the most effective and moving. They have this habit of not having to overstate things and make it all complicated that can get straight into the hearts of us grown ups. And working in a place that has so many colorful and heartfelt “thank you” messages lining the walls is one of the best ways to be reminded of why we do what we do every day.

Recently, I received a big yellow envelope from a kid named Daniel in New Jersey that contained a letter, some checks and an invitation to his “Rockin’ Roller Skating Party” to celebrate his 10^th birthday. I saw at the bottom of the invitation was the First Book logo and a request that no one bring him gifts, but rather a donation to First Book so that kids in need could have books to read. The donations totaled $175 and the letter thanked us for using the money to “bring new books to kids who need them” and wished that “all kids would have the same opportunity to read and learn that I have”. What a fantastic kid!! And what a fun and great way to raise money to get books to kids in need! Needless to say, that invitation has now joined the reminders on my wall. Any other First Bookers out there have a creative idea for fundraising and getting books out in your community that you’d like to share?