Posts in category Book Relief

Moore, Oklahoma – Our Hearts Are With You

May21
2013 Leave a Comment Tracy Bartley Written by Tracy Bartley

Yesterday afternoon a massive tornado hit the town of Moore, just outside Oklahoma City. Dozens have been killed, hundreds injured and the town was nearly leveled. This is one of the most destructive tornadoes in the history of the United States and even more destructive weather is possible in the region over the next few days.

Support the Red Cross Moore Oklahoma TornadoWhen a disaster like this hits, especially in schools and harming children as this did, we all look on, feeling empathy, wishing they could do something. Us too, here at First Book, watching the twitter feeds, the news, and holding our breath, hoping one more person will be found alive. The time will come to rebuild schools and provide books for schools whose home and school libraries were destroyed.

Until then, please join us in supporting the  Red Cross in their disaster relief efforts. This organization is the front line to repair and support, not just those in Moore, OK, but all who need it most in the region over the next few days.

Moore Oklahoma Tornado Red Cross Disaster ReliefYou can go online at www.redcross.org and donate. Call Red Cross at 1-800 REDCROSS. Text REDCROSS to 90999, to give $10, or click on the American Red Cross image on the left to donate.

 

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One Million Books Available Now for Schools and Programs in States Affected by Hurricane Sandy

Apr15
2013 Leave a Comment Brian Minter Written by Brian Minter

One Million Books from First Book for Victims of Hurricane SandySince Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast last fall, First Book has been working to help local schools, community programs and families rebuild their lost libraries.

Now, thanks to our friends at Random House, we have the resources to rebuild tens of thousands of home and classroom libraries: over one million brand-new, high-quality kid’s books.

We just need to get the word out.

Help us by sharing this blog post with anyone you know who works with children in need, and tell them to sign up with First Book today.

Recognizing the wide-ranging impact of this storm on many aspects of children’s lives, schools and programs do not have to have been physically damaged by the storm to apply for books. Any school or program that was affected by the storm or serves children in need in one of the 13 affected states is encouraged to sign up to receive books.

NOTE: The books are available to schools and programs in the 13 states designated by FEMA as being affected by Hurricane Sandy: Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, DC.

Posted in Book Distributions, First Book Partners - Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Affected by Hurricane Sandy? First Book Can Help You Get New Books.

Feb26
2013 5 Comments Brian Minter Written by Brian Minter

Affected by Hurricane Sandy? First Book Can Help

Click here (or on the flyer above) to sign up! Feel free to share this link, or download the graphic and share.

 

Posted in Book Distributions, Book Recipients, Books & Reading - Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

A Bucket Full of Change

Dec19
2012 Gina Rullo Written by Gina Rullo

Union Elementary School raises money for First Book's Book Relief ProgramHurricane Sandy caused much devastation to the East Coast. Families lost their homes, buildings were heavily damaged and countless children, families and schools lost libraries full of books.

The students at Union Elementary School in Farmington, CT, decided to take action.

Some Union Elementary students came across First Book’s initiative to raise money to provide new books to children affected by Hurricane Sandy. They wanted to contribute to First Book’s effort, so they collected loose change for a month.

Mrs. Banta, the school’s main office clerk, hauled a big bucket of change to Farmington Savings Bank, and got a check for more than $400, enough to provide 160 brand-new books to children affected by Hurricane Sandy.

“The leadership, staff, teachers, students and families of Union School strongly share First Book’s belief that books are among the critical resources that children need every day, and we were so pleased with the strong response we received from everyone in collecting change to turn into dollars, then a check, then lots of books for kids,” said Jessica Lister, a Union Elementary School mom and publicity co-chair of the PTO.Click here to donate

Although the storm has passed, families and children are still living in shelters and have lost many of their personal belongings. You can help just as the kids at Union Elementary did, by clicking here. Every $2.50 you contribute will provide a new book to a child affected by the storm.

Posted in First Book Supporters, Philanthropy - Tagged , , , ,

First Book and AFT Bring a Truckload of Books to Hurricane Sandy Victims

Nov13
2012 Rochee Jeffrey Written by Rochee Jeffrey

Last night, four First Book employees, with help from American Federation of Teachers’ volunteers, ventured to a small alley in the financial district of New York City to unload, label and sort 30,000 children’s books for victims of Hurricane Sandy.

The American Federation of Teachers and their local New York affiliate, the United Federation of Teachers, requested 30,000 new books from First Book to go to kids in the affected areas. To get the books there on time, First Book staffers loaded a 26-foot truck with the 30,000 books yesterday afternoon and drove them to a warehouse in lower Manhattan.

Anna Taleysnik-Mehta, who headed up First Book’s efforts, stated:

“Books for tomorrow ready to go, almost all the rest are up in storage and being sorted; we just did a day of work in an hour and change thanks to the amazing building crew and AFT and First Book staff”

We couldn’t be more grateful for the volunteers who lent their support to this effort. Our thoughts continue to be with the millions of Americans who are still impacted by this storm.

If you are interested in providing books to children in need who are affected by Hurricane Sandy to help them get through this challenging time, please donate.

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New Books for Victims of Hurricane Sandy

Nov02
2012 Brian Minter Written by Brian Minter

You can help provide new books to children affected by Hurricane Sandy.As first-responders are working to provide these families with electricity, water, and other critical resources, First Book—in partnership with our local volunteers and partners—is raising funds to restock school and home libraries. After distributing more than 5 million books in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, we know new books can be valuable lifelines for those whose worlds have been turned upside down.

Your help will ensure that children in need will have new books — stories at bedtime, the chance to be transported to another world, and the opportunity to return to normalcy.
Click here to donate
Every $2.50 you contribute will provide a new book to a child affected by the storm.

Your impact will also be DOUBLED as each gift of $2.50 will be matched by an additional book from First Book’s publishing partners.

Posted in Book Distributions, Book Recipients - Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Mary Pope Osborne and Random House Provide 4,000 New Books to Children in New Orleans

Apr23
2010 Written by admin

Mary Pope Osborne reads to New Orleans school children.

Mary Pope Osborne, author of the popular children’s book series, Magic Tree House, and Random House Children’s Books teamed up with First Book to provide 4,000 books to children in need in 27 Recovery School District schools in New Orleans this month. On April 19th and 20th, Osborne visited with and read to children from six of the schools that received books. She also spoke about her enthusiasm for working with First Book and her inspiration for writing on WWLTV Eyewitness Morning News.

Ms. Osborne said, “Working with First Book in New Orleans was an inspiring adventure. Together we visited a number of schools and put new books into the hands of young readers. Our shared belief is that reading provides the path toward greater possibilities for the future — and every child deserves the opportunity to set out on the journey.”

Will Osborne, Marlene Pete (Treasurer, First Book-Greater New Orleans), Lynetta Rhodes (Co-Chair, First Book-Greater New Orleans) and Kyle Zimmer (President and CEO, First Book) cheer Mary Pope Osborne as she accepts a proclamation from the mayor in her honor.

Ms. Osborne donated new copies of Magic Tree House #42: A Good Night for Ghosts, in which Magic Tree House characters Jack and Annie travel back in time to meet a young boy named Louis Armstrong and encourage him to share his gift of music with the world.

Posted in Advisory Boards, Authors & Illustrators, First Book Events, Philanthropy - Tagged , , , , , ,

Coming Soon to New Orleans: Mary Pope Osborne and Random House

Apr14
2010 Written by admin

Mary Pope Osborne, author of the wildly popular Magic Tree House series, and Random House Children’s Books are teaming up with First Book to provide 4,000 books to children in 27 Recovery District schools in New Orleans. On Monday and Tuesday of next week, Ms. Osborne will personally visit with and read to children from six of the schools that are receiving books.

In anticipation of the New Orleans Jazz Festival that begins later that week, Ms. Osborne and Random House will be donating new copies of Magic Tree House #42: A Good Night for Ghosts, in which Magic Tree House characters Jack and Annie travel back in time to meet a young unknown boy named Louis Armstrong and encourage him to share his gift of music with the world.

Mary Pope Osborne said, “When my husband Will and I visited New Orleans shortly after Katrina, we were tremendously moved and inspired by the spirit of the city and its people. New Orleans has always been one of our favorite cities in the world, and on that trip we promised all the kids we met that Jack and Annie would soon visit New Orleans in the Magic Tree House and have an adventure with a young Louis Armstrong. We are now very happy to share that adventure—and the magic of reading—with them.”

Check back next week to hear from Mary Pope Osborne herself!

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

Book Relief: More than 5 Million Books to the Gulf Coast

Aug31
2007 Written by Lynda L.

On August 21, we wrapped up our two-year effort to bring five million new books to the communities impacted by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. We not only met but exceeded our goal, with a total of more than 5.1 million books distributed!

We celebrated this accomplishment with an event at the New Orleans Public Library, where sixty students from Martin Behrman Charter Elementary School in New Orleans joined us, along with community members, local and national dignitaries, and representatives from some of our corporate and publishing partners — without whom we could not have made this happen!

From the moment we boarded the plane on Monday, I knew this would be a momentous occasion filled with lots of special moments. And I wasn’t wrong. The flight to Louisiana brought back some poignant memories for me and I’m sure for every First Book staffer who was able to make at least one visit to the Gulf Coast during the past two years.

Significant progress has been made in removing the blue tarps from the roofs of damaged homes that stood out like giant waves, greeting travelers as they approached the NOLA airport. The tarps are mostly gone now but unfortunately, it means the homes were demolished and the land cleared of rubble that more often than not included families’ hopes, dreams and lives that can never be replaced.

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The Coast Guard and First Book

May11
2007 Written by Clarissa P.

Many of our book distributions would not be possible without the help of the U.S. Coast Guard. As the signature charity of the Coast Guard, First Book relies on their warehouse space and volunteers to help us distribute millions of books to kids in need.

The Coast Guard worked with us on our New Orleans book distribution in March, and they recently issued this press release about the distribution — including some great photos from the warehouse.

You can learn more about our partnership with the Coast Guard on our website.

Posted in Book Distributions
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