Posts in category Advisory Boards

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 Education, First Book Supporters, Literacy, Philanthropy, Volunteers - Tagged , , ,

First Book Celebrates AmeriCorps Week!

Mar14
2013 Shannon Burke-Kranzberg Written by Shannon Burke-Kranzberg

First Book Celebrates AmeriCorps Week!This week, many of our partners and recipient groups are celebrating AmeriCorps Week to recognize the service of the AmeriCorps members working within their organizations to elevate the quality of education for the children they serve. Here at First Book, we’re proud to have some AmeriCorps alums on our staff and as volunteers working to help get more books out to the kids who need them most.

Charlette Kremer was an AmeriCorps VISTA member serving at Lewis-Clark State College (LCSC) in Lewiston, Idaho, in 2005. One of her first assignments was to establish a First Book College Advisory Board. Today, Charlette is the director of the Lewis-Clark Service Corps, which is the department where she served, and her staff now oversees First Book-LCSC, which provides books to four counties in Idaho and one in Washington. “Just last week, the Advisory Board met and awarded over $8,000 in books to nine organizations,” she said. “That brings our total to more than 48,000 books in just seven years. It’s a legacy for which I am very proud.”

First Book Celebrates AmeriCorps Week!Jonelle McCoy is a current AmeriCorps member serving in youth mentoring program at LCSC, but because of her experience working with students in the community struggling with literacy, she said she “jumped at the chance to volunteer” with First Book-LCSC. Her AmeriCorps service has given her the opportunity to work directly with students in the community struggling with literacy.

“It’s clear to me that the books we are giving to schools and agencies will make reading more accessible to hundreds of pre-K and elementary students in our local and satellite communities,” Jonelle said. “My hope is that one day soon there won’t be a need for my service, but until that day comes, volunteering with First Book remains a powerful way to impact and support early readers before they become the youth I see struggling in middle school.”

We’re proud to support AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service with access to new, high-quality books and educational resources for the kids they serve across the country!

Posted in Books & Reading, Education, First Book Partners, First Book Supporters, Literacy, Volunteers - 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 Education, First Book Partners, First Book Supporters, Literacy, Philanthropy, Volunteers - Tagged , , , , ,

15,000 New Books on the National Mall, Plus Celebrities, Cabinet Secretaries and Cute Kids

Jan21
2013 Brian Minter Written by Brian Minter

phppZjGnFAM

On Saturday, volunteers from across the country joined First Book on the National Mall in Washington DC to celebrate President Obama’s National Day of Service by providing 15,000 brand-new books to DC-area children from low-income families.

Click here to see photos of the event, including pictures of volunteers, political leaders, and even a few celebrities.

First Book was one of seven nonprofits featured at the event, highlighting the idea of community service in such areas as education, the environment and support for military families.

Each volunteer packed two books into a bag, and decorated bookplates with personal messages.

Screen shot 2013-01-21 at 1.56.04 PM

The books, including “Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Doreen Rappaport, were provided thanks to the generous support of our friends at KPMG, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm, through its KPMG’s Family for Literacy program.

The bags will be distributed in the coming days to students throughout DC, thanks to First Book’s partnership with the American Federation of Teachers.

signing

Even if you weren’t able to join us on the National Mall, you can still bring new books to kids in need. Click here to donate to our National Day of Service Virtual Book Drive. Every $2.50 provides one new books to a child in need.

Posted in Authors & Illustrators, Book Distributions, Books & Reading, First Book Events, First Book Partners, KPMG, Virtual Book Drives, Volunteers - Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

[INFOGRAPHIC] First Book’s Big Year

Dec20
2012 Brian Minter Written by Brian Minter

First Book's Big Year: We got a lot of books to kids in 2012

* Click on the graphic to see a bigger, snazzier version.

Learn more about how First Book provides new books to kids in need, and how you can get involved, at firstbook.org.

Posted in Book Distributions, Book Recipients, First Book Supporters, Success Stories, Volunteers - Tagged , , , , , ,

And the winner is …

Nov15
2012 Brian Minter Written by Brian Minter

This morning in Washington DC, First Book distributed our 100 millionth brand-new book.

This morning at Martha’s Table, an amazing community program serving homeless families in Washington DC, First Book distributed our 100 millionth brand-new book. (Check out this great story on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer.)

That’s not a typo. Since the organization was founded in 1992, First Book has provided 100 million brand-new, high-quality children’s books to kids in need throughout the United States.

We couldn’t decide what the actual 100 millionth book should be, so we let the people decide! Over 12,000 votes were cast in our ‘Ten Books Every Child Should Own’ contest.

And the winner?

“Green Eggs & Ham”, by Dr. Seuss!

Click here to see First Book's 100 millionth book on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer

Click here to see First Book’s 100 millionth book on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer

Kyle Zimmer, First Book’s president and co-founder, presented Chase-Kennedy Williams, age 4, with her very own copy of “Green Eggs & Ham”. Afterwards Kyle read the book to Chase-Kennedy and her classmates, after which they each got their own copy of the book to take home.

Watching Kyle give that book to little Chase-Kennedy was an incredible moment for everyone at First Book. The look on her face is one we’ve seen thousands and thousands of times when kids who have few or no books of their own are given a brand-new, beloved book of their very own, but we never get tired of it.

First Book staff with kids at Martha's Table in Washington DCMartha’s Table has a special place in our hearts here at First Book. Not only is it a terrific program that does an enormous amount of good for children and families in our home town of Washington DC, it’s where First Book was born twenty years ago, when Kyle, then a corporate lawyer volunteering in her spare time, realized that the children she was working with had no books of their own at home. She founded First Book, along with two friends, to ensure that those children, and others, would have access to the books they needed.

A big thank you is due to all the many partners and donors who help make our work possible, along with the heroic educators at programs like Martha’s Table across the country who are on the front lines every day. We couldn’t do it without you!

Okay, celebration’s over. Back to work. 100 million books is a whole lot of books, but there are plenty more kids out there waiting for us.

Want to help distribute the next 100 million books? Click here to get involved.

Posted in Book Distributions, Book Recipients, Books & Reading, First Book Events, Kyle Zimmer, Social Entrepreneurship, Success Stories, Volunteers - Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

When Life Gives you Lemons…

Sep05
2012 Gina Rullo Written by Gina Rullo

You can change the world at any age. Ten-year-old Malaika Abramson has illustrated how she wants to inspire kids to read. The young, savvy entrepreneur created a website entitled “The Reading Lion”, a book recommendation site where purchase links to Amazon are embedded within the content, resulting in a percentage of profit to the site’s creator.

Malaika is on a mission to make an impact Malaika Abramson & Friends show their support to First Book on literacy by donating proceeds to First Book. She is wise beyond her years and told us why she wanted to donate to First Book. “I love reading and I want other kids less fortunate than me to enjoy books as well”, said Malaika.

With the help of a team consisting of family and friends, Malaika graciously contributed funds to First Book raised through a book and lemonade stand. Her tireless support has provided over 30 books to children in need.

She is doing more than just encouraging others to read, she is inspiring us all to make a difference.

 

Posted in Books & Reading, First Book Supporters, Philanthropy, Volunteers - Tagged , , , , , ,

Volunteers in Action: Three Months to Make a Difference

Jul18
2012 Rochee Jeffrey Written by Rochee Jeffrey

Today’s blog post is from Abby Bartholomew. Abby works for Kenexa Corporation, a company with a stellar philanthropy program allowing recipients to donate their full-time efforts for three months to an organization of their choice. Abby was one of the chosen employees this year and is volunteering in Denver, CO with First Book’s advisory board (local First Book volunteer group) from May through July.

When I heard about this opportunity through work, I was thrilled–and First Book was the first organization that came to mind. A few years ago, I wrote my undergraduate thesis about creating an innovative way to increase youth interest in reading. Part of my research was identifying current organizations promoting literacy and reading, and First Book always stuck out in my mind as a leader in the community.

I contacted the Denver Metro Advisory Board, one of the closest boards to my home in Nebraska, during my application process and they were excited about the possibilities but informed me that they were struggling and might not be around by my arrival. But Kate Fergusson, our Community Development Manager, thought my skills and background would be perfect for revitalizing the board. So in late April my husky and I moved out to Denver!

The board had disintegrated by the time I arrived. Good news? We had the opportunity to start fresh. Bad news? I had basically no contacts or networks to tap into the Denver community. As I wrap up my last couple of weeks here, I’ve been contemplating everything I’ve learned about First Book, advisory boards and myself. I narrowed it down to three major things.

READ MORE »

Posted in Volunteers - Tagged , , , ,

Fairy Books and Ice Cream

May24
2012 Brian Minter Written by Brian Minter

First Book brings 350,000 books to Vermont kidsThe First Book team just got back from Brattleboro, Vermont, where we distributed 350,000 brand-new books to kids in need. About 100,000 of those books went to local teachers and community leaders, and the rest were shipped out to schools and programs serving kids from low-income families across the country.

The books were donated by our friends at Disney Publishing Worldwide, and included quite a few fairy and princess titles.

“There were four of us, and we worked, worked, and worked,” said Katie Niersbach, who led the team in Vermont. “Fairy books are HEAVY.”

Carolyn Appleton, serving ice cream to First Book staffersThe distribution was made possible thanks to the support of the Vermont Foodbank, who provided warehouse space and volunteers, and also received a large number of books to distribute to the children served by their centers throughout the state.

Also richly-deserving of our thanks is Carolyn Appleton, a Vermont teacher and community activist who signed up over 80 new programs to help them get books from First Book and fed our staff and volunteers ice cream. (She’s also the mother of one of our staffers, but that only makes us love her more.)

So a big ‘thank you’ to Carolyn and to all our friends at Disney and the Vermont Foodbank, and an even bigger thanks to all the educators – in Vermont and everywhere else – who go the extra mile every day to turn their kids into readers.

Posted in Book Distributions, Books & Reading, First Book Partners, National Book Bank, Teachers, Volunteers - Tagged , , , , , ,

First Book Volunteers in Action: Trumbull County’s Edible Books

May11
2012 Rochee Jeffrey Written by Rochee Jeffrey

There is no question that we love delicious food and a great book. So, it comes as no surprise that one of our favorite First Book volunteer fundraisers is First Book-Trumbull County’s annual Edible Book Art Festival fundraising event. For the past three years, participants have been challenged to create an art piece out of 100% edible material representing a classic or current children’s book, and festival attendees make a donation to vote on their favorite entries. Yummy!

This delicious fundraiser raised hundreds of dollars that funded grants that provide books for local children in need.  We are inspired by the ingenuity and creativity of our many wonderful advisory boards across the country.

If you would like to learn more about how you can volunteer with First Book and help us get books to kids in need, please visit us at firstbook.org/get-involved.

Check out some of the awesome entries from this year’s event below.

 

 

Posted in Volunteers - Tagged , ,
« Older Entries