Recipient Group name & location: Book Buddies, literacy program of the Molina Foundation. Based in Long Beach, CA, Book Buddies has provided books to children in California since November 2002. In 2007 Book Buddies expanded its program to seven additional states: Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Washington and Nevada.

Children Served Annually: We typically distribute 10,000 - 15,000 books a month and 100,000 books annually.

How do you use First Book books? We visit hospitals, shelters, schools, Head Start programs and community based organizations to promote literacy. First Book books are always the highlight of the visit - a brand new book that the child gets to keep for their very own. Usually we will read stories to the kids and talk about the importance of reading.

Why should a program serving low-income children register with First Book? Books from First Book are a blessing beyond words. Programs serving low-income children have a typical goal - to improve the life of the child. It all starts with reading - if you can teach a child to love to read and provide them with books, they will likely get an education, which leads to a better life. First Book has so many ways to help kids, the website has so many links and useful information, and the Marketplace has incredible deals on quality books, I have told so many groups that we work with about First Book!

Thanks to Kellie French and Jose Apolinar of Book Buddies for all their help!