We recently received this email from a Recipient Group in Louisiana:

Hello Friends at First Book,

I just wanted to let you know how important First Book has been to those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

I was the Assistant Director in Plaquemines Parish La. where the eye of Katrina crossed over first. We lost our home and all our belongings. I have relocated to Rapides Parish
(Alexandria) La. where I was blessed to find a great job here at the library.

Rapides has received and distributed hundreds of First Books to evacuees and I have sent them back with my grandchildren when they returned to St. Bernard, La. (another area hit hard by Katrina). For a while after Katrina, these were the only books they had, having lost theirs in the storm.

I thought that you should know that the books are getting in to the hands of those who need them and that they are appreciated.

Sincerely,
Tammy DiBartolo
Youth Services Manager
Rapides Parish Library