Posts by Gina Rullo

Lose Ten Pounds & Get More Dates: Five Reasons to Volunteer with First Book

Apr23
2013 Leave a Comment Gina Rullo Written by Gina Rullo

First Book is a nonprofit social enterprise that provides new books to programs and schools serving children in need. Dedicated volunteers around the country (called First Book “Advisory Boards”) raise funds in their communities to provide brand-new books to local schools and programs, and YOU can be a part of that.

Learn New Skills

Volunteering with First Book means you can gain new skills, adding professional value to resumes and college applications. There are a wide range of skills that you can develop, including community outreach, partnership building, fundraising, event planning and grant writing.

Reasons to Volunteer with First Book

Meet New People

When you volunteer, you get to meet new people who share the same interests. Volunteering can lead to networking opportunities or even new friends! You will have all kinds of things to talk about as you discuss why you decided to volunteer with First Book when meeting and interacting with fellow volunteers.

Community Ties

By volunteering your time with a First Book Advisory Board in your community, you are furthering First Book’s mission and getting books into the hands of kids in your local area.  Advisory Board members can impact the quality of education for local programs and classrooms by providing books and resources.

It’s Good For You

When you are looking for something new to do that’s good for you, volunteering keeps you busy and active. According to health and fitness website, Greatist.com, a past study has shown that “People who volunteered for selfless reasons and to create valuable relationships decreased the risk of mortality.” Not only does volunteering give you a sense of fulfillment, but also wellness.

Reasons to Volunteer with First BookYou Make A Difference

If you offer your time and volunteer with First Book then you will be helping us get brand-new books into the hands of more kids in need. Together we can transform the lives of children in need and elevate the quality of education.

 

 

Find out more information about how you can volunteer with First Book by clicking here. 

 

 

Posted in Advisory Boards, Education, First Book Supporters, Literacy, Philanthropy, Volunteers - Tagged , , ,

Happy Birthday, Amelia Bedelia! A Q&A With Author, Herman Parish

Mar25
2013 6 Comments Gina Rullo Written by Gina Rullo

It’s been 50 years since the original author of Amelia Bedelia, Peggy Parish, debuted the popular children’s book series. Peggy passed away in 1988 but her Amelia Bedelia legacy lives on. Herman Parish, Peggy’s nephew, took over the series after Peggy’s passing.

First Book recently interviewed Herman Parish about Amelia Bedelia turning 50 and why books are important for young readers.

First Book:  How was a beloved character like Amelia Bedelia created? Was there any inspiration?

First Book Q&A with Herman Parish, current author of the of Amelia Bedelia children's book series

Herman Parish, current author of the of Amelia Bedelia children’s book series

Herman Parish:  My Aunt Peggy Parish would often take things literally, not continually as Amelia Bedelia does, but enough times that one could understand how she could have come up with the character naturally. Peggy also drew inspiration from the class of third graders she taught. She would ask them to do something and a student would ask “Do you mean for us to do what you said?” When Peggy thought back on her exact words, she realized that if they were taken literally, there could be a problem. That got her to thinking that there might be a story there.

A couple of years after Peggy passed away, I heard an intriguing tale that may offer a clue as to why she made Amelia Bedelia a housekeeper. I was visiting Peggy’s hometown of Manning, South Carolina and spoke with one of her cousins. They had been playmates at their Grandparents house, where a big dinner was served every Sunday. The Grandparents were named — surprise, surprise — Mr. & Mrs. Rogers.

Mrs. Rogers had both a cook and a housekeeper. There was also a younger housekeeper whose main job was to look after the children because she was hopeless at housework. Peggy’s cousin recalled a time when this young housekeeper had to fill in for the older one. Mrs. Rogers told her to “sweep around the room.” This young housekeeper did just what she was told: she swept the edges of the room clean, but left the center of the room untouched. All of the children laughed at her mistakes. I asked this cousin if he had ever reminded Peggy about this maid. He said that when he did, Peggy did not say anything — she just smiled.

First Book Q&A with Herman Parish, current author of the of Amelia Bedelia children's book seriesFirst Book:  50 years. Would you or your aunt ever think this series would continue on for so long?

Herman Parish:  Peggy Parish passed away in November of 1988. All during that spring and summer, she and Amelia Bedelia were celebrated at national meetings and conventions of teachers and librarians because it was Amelia Bedelia’s 25th Birthday. So Peggy must have had a sense that the character she created would live on long after she was gone. I’m sure that Amelia Bedelia will be around long after I am gone, taking the world at face value as she does exactly what she is told to do.

First Book:  Why are books so important for young readers?

Herman Parish:  I’ll tell you what my Aunt Peggy Parish thought because I agree with her. She believed that there was a very narrow window when a child would be or could be interested in reading. If you missed that opportunity, it was very difficult to engage them later. She felt that reading was important because a child’s imagination can take them anywhere. It opens them up to all sorts of possibilities in their own lives.

First Book: Over 40% of children in the US do not have age-appropriate books in their homes, nor in classrooms or programs they attend due to the fact that they simply cannot afford new books. As someone who writes children’s books, how does this affect you?

Amelia Bedelia titles are currently available on the First Book MarketplaceHerman Parish:  Well, I would be optimistic about it. I would say that whatever could be done to get just one book into the hands of those 40% would give them a big boost make a huge difference to them. Also, whatever books they get would be cherished and recalled fondly for years to come.  As a writer, I do my best to write the best books that I can. That way, if one of those children in the 40% happen to read one of my books, they will have fun. Reading what you like to read one book at a time will develop the habit of simply liking to read, which will be with them for the rest of their lives. I only hope that children would find my books fun to read, which would encourage them to keep reading and seek out other books they would enjoy.

First Book:  What was your favorite children’s book?

Herman Parish:  My Aunt Peggy sent me a copy of The Cat in the Hat when it was first published. At that time, my father was in the Air Force and we were stationed in England. I remember thinking that the Cat himself must be an American because he was so brash and bold, which is how the British saw us. I identified with this character as a role model, as I was born in Texas and wore cowboy boots and jeans in the first grade at an otherwise tame British primary school. The other kids probably thought that I was the Cat!

Amelia Bedelia books are available on the First Book Marketplace, a website exclusively for educators and program leaders that work with kids in need.

Posted in Authors & Illustrators, Education, Literacy, Marketplace - Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

How First Book Works with Pi Beta Phi to Support Girls Everywhere

Mar18
2013 4 Comments Gina Rullo Written by Gina Rullo

Today’s guest blog post is from Ann Shaw, Director of Philanthropy for Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women. Ann has held this volunteer role for the past six years. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arkansas and her Master’s in Education from the University of New Orleans. Ann taught for over 25 years as an early childhood teacher and is passionate about literacy.

Ann Shaw, The Women of Pi Beta Phi and First Book Partner to End Illiteracy

Ann Shaw, Director of Philanthropy for Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women

In 1987, the U.S. Congress designated March as Women’s History Month to ensure that the history of American women would be recognized and celebrated in schools, work places and communities throughout the country.

Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women was founded in 1867 by 12 students at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois who were the pioneers of the women’s fraternal movement. While our country was rebuilding after the Civil War, few women attended college. The women of Pi Beta Phi were visionaries of their time not only because they founded the Fraternity and patterned it after the men’s fraternal organizations of that time, but also because they were philanthropically minded and wished to better society.

Pi Beta Phi members continued their philanthropic interests by creating a school in 1912 in the remote Appalachian Mountain hamlet of Gatlinburg, Tennessee to provide formal education. In November 2012, Pi Beta Phi members celebrated 100 years of literacy service in Gatlinburg. From their original mission to the continuing legacy of Pi Beta Phi Elementary School and the Arrowmont® School of Arts and Crafts, Pi Beta Phis are proud of their commitment to literacy not only in Gatlinburg but across the United States and Canada.

Kyle Zimmer, The Women of Pi Beta Phi and First Book Partner to End Illiteracy

Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book, reads to girls at a local DC program

In the next 100 years, Pi Phi’s Read. Lead. Achieve.® literacy platform will continue to provide direction for Pi Phi’s mission “to lead the way to a more literate society” through its partnership with First Book, Champions are Readers program, Arrow in the Arctic, Fraternity Day of Service and local initiatives.

Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book, is a visionary too, as she had the dream to put books into the hands of undeserved children through the inception of First Book. Both organizations work to end illiteracy and realize the importance of reading and how it is a predictor of success in school and life.

Both organizations work to end illiteracy and realize the importance of reading and how it is a predictor of success in school and life.

Pi Phi strives to lead the way to a more literate society and has supported First Book’s mission financially and through the volunteer efforts of our members. First Book and Pi Beta Phi are making a difference in the lives of children through their philanthropic efforts to create rich literacy environments, improve interest in reading and encourage children to be readers.

The Women of Pi Beta Phi and First Book Partner to End IlliteracyWhile we celebrate the accomplishments of women during National Women’s History Month, let us remember not only the women who have made significant accomplishments to better society but those women who read to their children, surround their children with books and encourage their children to love reading.

Pi Phi recently made a special edition of the title, Remember the Ladies: 100 Great American Women available to First Book’s schools and programs. If you work with kids from low-income families, sign your program or classroom up with First Book.

 

Posted in Books & Reading, Education, First Book Partners, First Book Supporters, Guest Blog Posts, Literacy, Philanthropy - Tagged , , , , , ,

Competitors or Collaborators? A Q&A with Carol Rasco on How First Book Works with RIF

Mar12
2013 8 Comments Gina Rullo Written by Gina Rullo

Carol Rasco, president and CEO of Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), recently answered some questions about the importance of the long partnership between First Book and RIF.

First Book's CEO & President, Kyle Zimmer & RIF's Presidnet, Carol RascoQ: RIF and First Book are sometimes thought of as competitors rather than partners. Could you put this myth to rest and explain the importance of this partnership?

Carol Rasco:  RIF and First Book have been close partners for many years. The missions and values of both our organizations are closely aligned, as we both strive to ensure that children in need have the high-quality books and resources they need to be successful.

Far from being competitors, we are strong collaborators! Through our continually growing partnership, more than 1,000 RIF programs across the country are able to access new, quality books for their kids through the First Book Marketplace. At the same time, many of the programs in First Book’s network use our resources for teachers, parents and community volunteers. These materials are developed based on Common Core Standards and cover multicultural favorites and science, technology, engineering, the arts and math themes.

We consider ourselves soldiers in the same war to close the gap of inequity when it comes to educational materials for kids in poverty, and we will continue fighting side by side to get more books into the hands of kids in need.

Q:  How have First Book and RIF worked together in the past?

Carol Rasco:  For over a decade, First Book has served as a distributor in the RIF Ready Pack program, providing access to low-cost collections of high-quality titles for RIF programs nationwide, through the First Book Marketplace.

In recent years, First Book and RIF have collaborated on numerous special projects such as the distribution of 600,000 new books nationwide in 2010-2011, a joint effort to support programs affected by Superstorm Sandy by providing 1,500 new books to Sandy affected areas in 2012, and, most recently, First Book won the bid to distribute 120,000 books for RIF’s Multicultural STEAM reading collection.  I also currently serve, and have served for several years, on First Book’s Advisory Council.

Q:   What are RIF and First Book currently working on together?

Carol Rasco:  RIF and First Book have recently joined together to distribute one million, brand-new books to RIF programs across the country, thanks to RIF’s long-time partnership with Macy’s! To date 500,000 new books have been distributed to RIF programs serving kids with the highest levels of need and the remaining 500,000 books will be dispersed, through the First Book Marketplace, prior to summer break.

This initiative has allowed RIF to maximize our resources and acquire books for our programs through First Book at a cost way below retail price.  In addition, the distribution of these books has focused on key times when kids are out of school and in high need for resources, including summer break, when so many children in low-income areas are without the education tools they need to prevent learning loss over the summer months.

Q:   What are RIF’s plans for this partnership going forward?

Carol Rasco:  We know we can count on First Book’s ongoing support for our RIF programs and we are excited to continue growing our partnership and developing more creative initiatives to get high-quality books into the hands of kids in need!

 

Posted in Education, First Book Partners, First Book Supporters, Literacy - Tagged , , , , , , ,

Happy Friendiversary!!

Feb27
2013 1 Comment Gina Rullo Written by Gina Rullo

Mo Willems celebrating Friendiversary with 2nd graders at Peck & First BookThe spirit of friendship and the power of reading were in full force at Peck Full Service Community School, a Title I School in Holyoke, MA, yesterday.

The school eagerly awaited the arrival of beloved children’s author and illustrator, Mo Willems: Elephant and Piggie posters decorated the hallways and windows of the school while the receptionist tried her hand at sketching the characters, and every available Mo Willems book was checked out of the school library.

Click here to see Mo celebrating Friendiversary!

As second-grade students entered the library to celebrate Friendiversary with Mo Willems himself, costumed Elephant and Piggie characters greeted the students at door. After a grand entrance, Mo read two of his books – There Is A Bird on Your Head! and I Am Invited To a Party! He then conducted a Q&A with the second graders who asked him all sorts of questions. “Why did you work for Cartoon Network?” asked one of the students. “Do you have a pet pigeon?” asked another.

Elephant & Piggie celebrating Friendiversary with Mo Willems, Peck & First BookMo then informed the second graders that they would each be taking home their very own Friendiversary book and the library erupted with deafening screams of excitement. Students immediately began opening their books, each of which were personally signed by Mo. Smiles were on every face and many were sharing and showing their books to friends.

Friendiversary doesn’t have to be celebrated in February, it can be celebrated at any time of the year! Here’s how you can throw your very own Friendiversary party:

  • Get Friendiversary books for the second grade students in your program.
  • Invite everyone to a party!
  • Read together with friends and celebrate Friendiversary, an annual celebration of friendship and reading.

At First Book, we love celebrating Friendiversary each year, partly because we love Mo Willems, but mostly because it’s one more way to get new, quality books into the hands of kids in need, and seeing those kids become excited readers is what we’re all about.

Happy Friendiversary!

Posted in Authors & Illustrators, Education, First Book Events, Literacy - Tagged , , , , ,

How a Mortgage Bank Makes It Possible for Kids to Have New Books

Feb20
2013 Gina Rullo Written by Gina Rullo

Every year, First Book provides close to ten million brand-new books to local schools and community programs across the country. To make that happen, we rely on the generosity of thousands of individual donors, grants from charitable foundations, and the revenue-generating (and someday self-sustaining) power of own First Book Marketplace.

But the most significant source of funding for First Book’s ever-growing programs is the support of our corporate partners – the companies that are investing in their communities every day by ensuring that kids from low-income families have the books and resources they need to become success stories.

SunTrust Mortgage Employees get books to kids through First BookOne example of how First Book works hand-in-hand with socially responsible companies is our partnership with SunTrust Mortgage.

SunTrust Mortgage has made it possible for us to put a lot of books into the hands of a lot of kids. But they don’t just write us a check. They get involved in lots of ways, both big and small.

  • SunTrust Mortgage employees – over 4,000 of them – have contributed over $500,000 to First Book since 2005. That generosity has put 400,000 brand-new books into classrooms and home libraries.
  • SunTrust Mortgage sponsored a “Click Challenge” last year online; funds for 8,700 books were donated in a single week.
  • SunTrust Mortgage employees volunteer their time as well. Recently they hand-delivered 1,500 books to John B. Cary Elementary School, Westover Hills Elementary School and G.W. Carver Elementary School, all Title I schools in Richmond, VA. (Richmond is home to one the strongest local First Book volunteer groups in the nation, made up largely of SunTrust Mortgage employees.)

Now, for the eighth year in a row, our friends at SunTrust Mortgage have stepped up with $50,000 that will provide more new books and resources to the educators and children we work with.

Thanks to everyone at SunTrust Mortgage. We couldn’t do it without you.

Posted in Advisory Boards, Education, First Book Partners, First Book Supporters, Literacy, Philanthropy, Volunteers - Tagged , , , , ,

Help Second Graders Celebrate Friendiversary with New Books!

Feb13
2013 Gina Rullo Written by Gina Rullo

For the third year in a row, our friend Mo Willems, beloved children’s author & illustrator, will be providing brand-new Elephant & Piggie books and activity kits to kids in need!

Friendiversary collection & activity kit available through First BookThe books and activity kits will go to second grade students in New Orleans, Springfield and Holyoke, Mass. (These places have special meaning for Mo; he grew up in New Orleans and now resides in Massachusetts.)

Mo’s Elephant & Piggie characters inspired First Book to create Friendiversary, an annual  celebration of friendship and reading.  After all, who better exemplifies the meaning of friendship than Elephant & Piggie?

You can help second-graders across the country celebrate Friendiversary on Feb. 26!  Click here to donate.

For every $33 donated, 10 second grade students will receive their own Mo Willems books and activity kits for the celebration.

Happy Friendiversary!

Posted in Authors & Illustrators, First Book Events, First Book Supporters - Tagged , , , ,

Operation Bookitecture!

Jan11
2013 Gina Rullo Written by Gina Rullo

Operation Bookitecture: KPMG’s Creative Way to Donate 49,000 Books to Kids in Need through First BookKPMG’s Family for Literacy brightened the holiday season for children across the country by bringing more than 49,000 brand new books to children in need as part of their firm-wide community service project, Operation Bookitecture. This was no ordinary book drive, however.  Nearly 3,000 KPMG employees in 70 offices across the country conceived, designed and constructed familiar and whimsical structures out of the books before donating them to local programs serving children in need.

The creative structures were built as part of an office contest, of which our own Kyle Zimmer, CEO and President of First Book, was an esteemed judge. Entries depicted a wide range of scenes and structures, including cityscapes, a pirate ship, an ice skating rink, an igloo, various bridges, a castle, several East coast lighthouses, an Iditarod dog sled, different sports arenas, iconic towers and buildings (one complete with its own King Kong), a giant saguaro cactus, a Puerto Rican “guarita,” and even “A Streetcar Named Literacy.”

Operation Bookitecture: KPMG’s Creative Way to Donate 49,000 Books to Kids in Need through First BookBut who was the winner, you ask? There were actually two! Atlanta won the large office competition with their Reading Room and Ft. Lauderdale won the small office competition with Book City. Both of the winning offices received $2,500 to provide additional books to local First Book programs. We’d expect no less from our friends at KPMG!

Which office created your favorite structure? You be the judge!

Posted in Book Structures, First Book Partners, First Book Supporters, KPMG - Tagged , , ,

Pi Beta Phi Brings Books About Great American Women to Kids in Need

Jan09
2013 Gina Rullo Written by Gina Rullo

Pi Beta Phi Brings the book, Remember the Ladies to First Book This past November, First Book’s partner, Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women, celebrated their 100-year commitment to literacy service. To honor the momentous occasion, the Fraternity donated a special Pi Beta Phi edition of “Remember the Ladies: 100 Great American Women” to every student at Pi Beta Phi Elementary School in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Pi Beta Phi Elementary sits on the campus of the original Pi Beta Phi Settlement School, founded in 1912 to bring education to an area of great need.

Pi Beta Phi Brings the book, Remember the Ladies to First BookContinuing their legacy of literacy, Pi Beta Phi gave each student at the school a copy of the children’s book that highlights 100 women who shaped American history, including Abigail Adams, Harriet Tubman, Eleanor Roosevelt and Oprah Winfrey. Each special edition of the book includes a message from Pi Beta Phi, who aims to promote friendship, develop women of intellect and integrity, cultivate leadership potential and enrich lives through community service.

Thanks to the continued support of Pi Beta Phi, the special edition of “Remember the Ladies: 100 Great American Women” is now available on the First Book Marketplace, a website available exclusively to educators and program leaders that work with kids in need.

Posted in First Book Partners, First Book Supporters, Marketplace - Tagged , , , ,

Breakfast With Santa

Dec25
2012 Gina Rullo Written by Gina Rullo

Santa may have been busy this holiday season but that didn’t stop him from visiting Los Molinos Unified School District to deliver books to many kids.

Students have breakfast with Santa and receive books provided by First Book Students from Los Molinos Elementary School and four other schools in the Northern California area all participated in a yearly breakfast with Santa event.  In past years, students received little gifts from Santa and his elves. This year, students received the gift of reading.

Los Molinos Unified School District is an area where 85% of students are on free and reduced lunch and are Title I. This is an area where most families live in extreme poverty so getting books to give out at this event seemed challenging. That’s when Los Molinos turned to First Book. Since books are available at such affordable prices, students from five different elementary schools all took home brand-new books to call their own.

“Parents, teachers and children could not believe that Santa would bring them such a gift”, said Jill Botts, LMUSD Board of Trustees President.

Holiday cheer was spread to many children this year as they turned through the pages of their new books with much spirit this season.

Anyone who works with kids in need is eligible to get books from First Book. To sign up, visit First Book on the web.

Posted in Books & Reading, Education, Literacy, Success Stories - Tagged , , , , , ,
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