We received this great story from First Book-Bonneville County about a fun community arts festival they attended this summer.

First Book-Bonneville County had the opportunity to participate in the annual Snake River Roaring Youth Jam—the biggest family arts festival ever to hit Idaho Falls.  Organized by the Idaho Falls Arts Council, the “Youth Jam” is a three-day festival August 9-11, 2007 filled with art, theater and music for kids of all ages…and their families too!

For several years, the local Post Register newspaper has been a strong partner of First Book-Bonneville County—and this year was no different.  During the Snake River Roaring Youth Jam, the Post Register generously donated the use of their event tent to our Board.  This enabled us to get the First Book name out in the community by distributing information about First Book to event attendees and engaging children with various activities.  Not to mention, the Post Register helped print and fold a thousand First Book brochures!

At the booth, First Book-Bonneville County provided a very popular book-making activity for children, gave out hundreds of local brochures, and collected donations from individuals interested in personalizing a bookplate to be inserted in books to be given to area groups during the board’s next grant cycle.   View pictures from the Youth Jam.

In addition to the Post Register, many of the Board’s additional local partners came out to support our cause including the Kohl’s A-Team volunteers and a Wal-Mart employee participating in the Volunteerism Always Pays program.  Other individuals supporting our efforts at the booth included: Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership, Head Start, Retired Senior Volunteer Program and our local Friends of First Book.

Overall, it was an exciting and successful three days!  We were able to make numerous community contacts for potential new board members and future recipients of book distributions as well as receive donations to further our efforts of getting new books into the hands of children in our area.  Thanks again to all our existing and new community partners.  Because of your support, we are that much closer to making First Book-Bonneville County a household name in Idaho Falls, ID!