Today was another one of those days where I am reminded of how great it is to work with First Book and how amazing it is to be in regular contact with our heroic volunteers. I got an e-mail from Orange County, NY where Cheryl Jackson is the Chair of a fantastic Advisory Board. The message follows:

My name is Pamela Buxton Peterson. I am the parent liaison for the Newburgh Enlarged City School District. Our parent volunteer group (Parent Effectiveness Program) that is umbrellaed by the District received a book grant for the school year 2005-2006.

As a result of this grant, we received approximately 700+ books from the First Book organization. These books were given to the families of the Bilingual Parent Advisory Council through our Bilingual Education Department. Books were also distributed to low-income families at our District-wide family reading day event co-sponsored with the Newburgh Free Library and the City of Newburgh Youth Bureau, and at National Night Out, Glenn Hines Boys and Girls Club Kids Day, and School Is Cool, a backpack distribution and school readiness program for low-income families.

Needless to say, the families and student of our District were excited about getting these great quality books to take home and keep.

First Book has also provided books for Family Reading Night events for our Pre-K Center, and the Parent Effectiveness Program has distributed First Book contributions to children in childcare while their parents are attending workshops. It has been a great collaborative partnership that has benefited many low-income families in our District.

Recently, the Newburgh Enlarged City School District presented to the First Book-Orange County Local Advisory Board the School-Community Ambassador Award. It is an award that is given to businesses and organizations of distinction that have either partnered with the District or provided resources to assist the District in the education of students. The award is endorsed and signed by the Superintendent of Schools and the President of the Board of Education.

The First Book-Orange County LAB is doing an excellent job in the area of literacy with our students and families.

Congratulations First Book-Orange County!