Posts by Jane K.

Daphne’s Headcovers Make Great Father’s Day Gifts

Jun18
2009 Written by Jane K.

Daphne’s Headcovers, an online golf club covers retailer, offers the perfect gifts for Father’s Day! Thanks to their generous support, any headcover you purchase will generate a 10% donation to First Book. We recently sat down with Daphne’s Headcovers Founder, Jane Spicer, and she explained her reasons for partnering with us. Read her story below and make sure to visit Daphne’s Headcovers to view the wide selection of golf headcovers that also support First Book!

As far back as I can remember, my home and my grandparents homes have been filled with stacks of well worn & beloved books. My grandparents were voracious readers and we spent many happy hours sitting in their garden reading together. My parents fostered my love for reading with weekly trips to the library. When I was in college I would receive packages from my mom and grandmother of well worn paperbacks with loving notes of “I read this, loved it and knew you would too, call me when you’ve read it.”

Now with two children of our own, my husband and I get to share the joy of reading. We grant them Carte’ Blanche on two things; toothbrushes and books. Teaching my children to read has been one of my proudest accomplishments and greatest joys.

When we learned of First Book and their mission, my family and I knew that we wanted to help. I am thrilled and delighted to provide a portion of proceeds to First Book on all golf club covers that are purchased through this link.

Posted in Books & Reading, Philanthropy

Barclays Capital and First Book Provide 1,500 Books to Harlem Children’s Zone

Jun09
2009 Written by Jane K.

First Book traveled to Harlem, New York last week to bring 1,500 books to Harlem Children’s Zone thanks to the generous support of Barclays Capital. First Book and Barclays hosted a celebratory reading party for the entire first grade class of Promise Academy I, an innovative charter school, part of the larger Harlem Children’s Zone.

The event started with heartfelt speeches from Promise Academy Principal, Dennis McKesey and Geoffrey Canada, CEO of Harlem Children’s Zone. Mr. Canada explained the impact that Barclays Capital has on inner-city youth. He then introduced First Book’s President, Kyle Zimmer, who praised Barclays employees for acting as superheroes to the children in attendance. Gerard LaRocca, Barclays Capital Chief Administrative Officer, Americas also made brief remarks highlighting Barclays’ commitment to improving education and literacy.

Twenty-five Barclays Capital employees volunteered to read to the 90 first grade students in attendance. The volunteers shared the joy of reading in small reading circles and much laughter and excitement was shared by all. Each of the first-graders received a special first edition copy of The Berenstain Bears’ Dollars and Sense, co-branded by the First Book Marketplace and Barclays Capital and Dr. Seuss’s Green Eggs & Ham. In addition, each child in the school, about 350 students, will receive two books to take home to create their own home libraries. Promise Academy also selected over 500 books to build classroom libraries.

We would like to thank Barclays Capital for their continued commitment to promoting literacy in communities where their employees live and work and to thousands more children across the country!

Posted in Books & Reading

BEA 2009 Is a Wrap!

Jun04
2009 Written by Jane K.

For my first Book Expo America experience, I have to say I was completely blown away by the energy at the Javits Convention Center, the many high-profile authors and, of course, tons of free books!

The First Book booth had quite the crowd as well. Over the course of the three-day show, May 29-31, we had the privilege of having 12 authors sign their latest books and help spread the word about First Book. Our ardent supporters kept coming back to meet such authors as Mo Willems, James Patterson and Kate DiCamillo (shown with members of the First Book team).

For every person that came to our booth, one new book will be donated to a child in need in their honor. We are thrilled to announce that more than 1,500 books will be provided to the kids who need them most, all thanks to the wonderful fans who stopped by.

Also, special thanks to Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and Book Expo America for sponsoring our booth. To follow the events of BEA, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/FirstBook.

Posted in Authors & Illustrators, Books & Reading, First Book Events, Literacy

Tonerworld.com Teams Up with First Book to Give New Books to Kids in Need

May21
2009 Written by Jane K.

Tonerworld.com, a leading vendor of imaging supplies, has partnered with First Book in an effort to provide new books to children who need them most. Tonerworld.com offers a free gift for all purchases over $100, and in an effort to provide customers with alternative ways to give back, customers can now choose to donate their free gift to First Book during check-out.

Since this feature launched on Tonerworld.com last week, the company has provided more than 400 books to children in need. Sarah Abraham, eCommerce Manager for Tonerworld.com, explains the company’s commitment to First Book, “Tonerworld.com wants to inspire and encourage the joy of reading in America’s youth, and engage our customers in an effort to provide even more books to children from low-income communities.”

We applaud Tonerworld.com’s outstanding efforts to give the gift of reading to children in need. For more information, or to purchase imaging supplies, please visit www.tonerworld.com.

Posted in Books & Reading

First Book Podcast: Chris Van Dusen, Contributor to “Our White House”

May14
2009 Written by Jane K.

Chris Van Dusen recently sat down with the First Book staff to talk about his contribution to Our White House and other upcoming projects. Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out, a project designed by the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance and published by Candlewick Press, explores America’s rich culture and encourages young people to read about history. Over 100 authors and illustrators worked on the project including Chris Van Dusen. Throughout the podcast, Van Dusen explains how he chose to depict his favorite president by looking at old photos for inspiration. He was mesmerized by Roosevelt’s humor and his “great big toothy smile.” Van Dusen’s illustration captures the hectic household with children and animals storming down the steps.

In the podcast, Van Dusen also explains that his desire to become an author and illustrator came from his childhood in Maine and the meticulous detail of Robert McCloskey’s illustrations. Van Dusen has worked on 9 other books including the Mercy Watson series written by Kate DiCamillo.

Listen to the podcast with Chris Van Dusen below and discover his witty sense of humor and career aspirations. For more information, please visit http://www.chrisvandusen.com, and look for his new book The Circus Ship set for release in September 2009.

Posted in Podcast - Tagged ,

KPMG hosts Mickelson Invitational

Apr30
2009 Written by Jane K.

On Tuesday, Kyle Zimmer was present to accept a donation at the KPMG Mickelson Invitational. The Invitational was held at the RTJ Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia. Phil Mickelson, famed golf pro and friend to KPMG, led the outing that included KPMG Partners and guests from the DC area. While Kyle did not show off her golf skills, she was presented with a check from John Veihmeyer, CEO, KPMG, LLP, provided by KPMG on behalf of tournament winners. KPMG will continue to partner with First Book at other Invitationals throughout the year. First Book will bring 5,000 new books to children in each of these communities.

We want to thank KPMG for yet another demonstration of their commitment to education.

Posted in Book Distributions, First Book Events, Philanthropy - Tagged ,

First Book and C&S: “We’re All In This Together”

Apr16
2009 Written by Jane K.

C&S Wholesale Grocers just published their 2008 Community Involvement Report, which showcases C&S’s commitment to First Book. Take a look at the report.

Richard Cohen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of C&S, explains: “At C&S, we have always believed that the measure of a truly great company is calculated not just in dollars earned, but also in what it contributes to the health and prosperity of the community.”

We couldn’t agree more. First Book is proud to be partnered with such a great corporate citizen. Our joint initiative with C&S, Food for the Body, Food for the Mind, has provided thousands of new books to children in need throughout Southwest New Hampshire. To learn more about our work together and in your community, click here.

Posted in General, Literacy Links and Articles - Tagged

First Book and Tata Kick Off Distribution of 40,000 Books

Apr15
2009 Written by Jane K.

First Book was treated to southern hospitality last week when we traveled to Milton, Florida, just outside of Pensacola, for a reading party at East Milton Elementary School. This wonderful event kicked off the distribution of 40,000 books to children in need nationwide thanks to First Book supporter, Tata, and their local business group, Tata Business Support Services (TBSS). Tata provided over 1,500 books to the students at East Milton, enough for each child in the school to take two books home and begin building their own home libraries!

Thirty students participated in one-on-one reading sessions with TBSS employees and local dignitaries. The children were mesmerized by the volunteers who read Green Eggs and Ham and My Little Sister Ate One Hare.

The reading party included inspirational speeches from the principal of East Milton, David Johnson, and Santa Rosa County Superintendent, Tim Wyrosdick. David Good, Chief Representative of the Tata group North America, and M.N. Rao, CEO of TBSS (who traveled from India to participate), also regaled the group with personal stories about the importance of reading.

The students’ enthusiasm was palpable, as they all promised to take the books home to share with their families. One student, Imani Lewis, wore a big smile as she hugged her two new books, and declared “I like to read. I read a lot to my little cousin.”

Posted in Book Recipients, Books & Reading, First Book Events, Philanthropy - Tagged ,

Barclays Capital Hosts Reading Party in New Jersey

Mar19
2009 Written by Jane K.

Barclays Capital, a proud partner of First Book, is providing over 15,000 new books to children in need all across the country!

Last Tuesday, 30 Barclays Capital volunteers gathered to share the joy of reading and celebrated the gift of books with first grade students at East Orange Community Charter School in East Orange, New Jersey. The enthusiasm and excitement was palpable, as the children beamed and welcomed the volunteers with hugs and bashful smiles. Barclays Capital employees and first-graders were welcomed with inspirational stories from Harven Dash and Yolanda Greene of the East Orange Community Charter School, Keith Kochie of Barclays and Kyle Zimmer, President of First Book. The students were divided into small groups as volunteers read Berenstain Bears’ Dollars and Sense and Dr. Seuss’s Green Eggs and Ham, the two books each first-grader took home! The kids were sitting at the edge of their chairs, or cozied up to the volunteers on the floor, enchanted by the stories. In some groups, the students felt so empowered that they chose to read to the volunteers instead!

Each of the school’s 500 students received two books to take home, and Barclays generously provided backpacks and bookmarks as well. As a special treat, the school received an additional donation of over 700 books, which will increase the library by 20%!

Thank you Barclays Capital for making such an impact on the lives of these students and many more around the country!

Posted in Books & Reading, First Book Events - Tagged

Sailor Boy Salutes First Book

Mar18
2009 Written by Jane K.

Interbake Foods, makers of Sailor Boy Pilot Bread, have recently partnered with First Book. Through an exciting cause marketing campaign called Feeding Hungry Minds; First Book will be featured on all Sailor Boy Pilot Bread boxes from now through March 28, with $0.50 from the sale of each box benefiting First Book. The funds generated through the portion of proceeds campaign will be provided to the First Book Advisory Boards throughout Alaska to place new books into the hands of children from the hardest to reach areas.

This partnership was made possible through the amazing efforts of the First Book-Anchorage Advisory Board chair, Karen Jenkins. While walking down the aisles of her grocery store, she spotted the infamous Sailor Boy package and thought of its unique positioning in Alaskan culture.

To celebrate this exciting initiative, First Book and Interbake Foods held a launch event in early March at Costco in Anchorage, Alaska. Despite a blizzard—a common occurrence in Anchorage in March—about 25 second-graders from Fairview Elementary School and student volunteers from East High School were greeted by Anchorage Mayor Matt Claman. The students gathered to hear inspirational speeches and story readings by Carol Comeau, Anchorage School District Superintendent; Gianna Varrati-Simmons, and even Mrs. Alaska. In addition to a reading party, the students got to make pizza using the Sailor Boy Pilot Bread. At the end of the event, each student received a goody bag containing two books to take home!

Thank you to Karen, Interbake Foods and Costco for hosting such a successful event!

If you happen to be in Alaska, please visit any grocery store to purchase your Sailor Boy Pilot Bread to help benefit First Book!

Posted in Books & Reading, First Book Events - Tagged ,
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