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Posts in the First Book Events Category
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Last Day to Donate to First Book through Community Gives
June 30th, 2008
Diane N.
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For the last few weeks I have been writing to you about First Book’s partnership with eBay Foundation and the Community Gives campaign.
Last Thursday, I was given the chance to see the first ripples of our powerful partnership’s impact when we delivered the first of 333,000 new books that will be distributed this year to First Book children nationwide in celebration of First Book and eBay Foundation’s ambitious goal: to identify, connect and serve 50,000 of the most under resourced programs nationwide with access to an ongoing supply of new books.
On Thursday morning eBay employees and eBay community members came together to read to First Book children in bicoastal reading parties — one held near eBay’s headquarters at Dorsa Elementary School in San Jose, CA; the other near First Book headquarters at Anthony Bowen YMCA in Washington, DC.
I have shared a few photos from the event below. Please take look!
Today marks the last day of the campaign, which closes at midnight tonight. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of so many of you, we have nearly reached our goal.
For those who have not yet donated, I hope you’ll take a moment to do so now. This is your last chance to have your gift to First Book matched by any extra dollar from the eBay Foundation.
Please donate now at www.communitygives.org.
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First Book kicks off the Summer Reading Initiative with nearly 1 million books!
June 25th, 2008
Katie B.
Leave a Comment »Although school may be out for the summer, it’s still a great time to take a book with you on your summer vacation, whether it’s time by the pool or on a road trip or long flight.
To help kids in need this summer, First Book and the US Department of Education have launched their 2008 Summer reading campaign, encouraging children to keep reading over the summer and throughout the year! The initiative will provide 850,000 free books, donated by Random House Children’s Books, to schools, libraries and community organizations across the country. Now that’s very cool news for those hot summer days!
Learn more about the Summer Reading Initiative and First Book’s work with the US Department of Education on the Book Donation Campaign at www.ed.gov.
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21 days and counting…
June 24th, 2008
Mitali C.
Leave a Comment »About 2 ½ months ago I was running around Turner Field in Atlanta, GA gearing up for Opening Day of the 2008 Braves season. I was the Entertainment Manager in charge of all the “hoopla” at home games and special events (i.e. flyovers, fireworks, in game promotions, drum line performances, concerts, interactive games, celebrity & mascot appearances and more). Although I had the pleasure of creating smiles at baseball games there was some sort of disconnect between me, my audience and my job. After my most recent volunteer trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia (personal vacation) working with the Life & Hope Association I realized the skills I used in the entertainment industry can be utilized for an even greater purpose in the nonprofit sector. Fast forward a few months later, after many hours googling the “next greatest job in the whole wide world,” and I was ready to walk away from everything that I knew that was normal to pursue my next great adventure at First Book.
On June 2, I stepped foot into First Book headquarters as a full time employee in a mere 21 days I’ve already helped get over 238,000 books into the hands of children from low-income families! (more…)
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First Book in Hollywood
June 10th, 2008
Matthew W.
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Other than the perfect weather, I was reminded recently why I love Southern California on a First Book trip to Los Angeles — the people. Namely, the dozens of dedicated individuals serving children from low-income families that attended our Meet and Greet in Hollywood on June 2nd. My colleagues Wendy, Chandler and I stayed in Los Angeles after Book Expo America to coordinate a post-BEA donation of over 24 pallets of new books to the United Way Inland Empire, and for a Meet and Greet reception for those interested in learning more about First Book at the offices of LA nonprofit Big Sunday.With over 80 guests, we had to cancel our PowerPoint presentation because we couldn’t fit everyone inside! With a perfect southern California pre-dusk breeze blowing through the air, the energy on Big Sunday’s patio was palpable as we spoke from the heart about ways our guests can access First Book’s resources for new books. We left California the next day re-energized, thanks to our fantastic LA network of heroes. (more…)
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Toni Morrison honored with PEN/Borders Literary Service Award
May 30th, 2008
Teresa P.
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Recently we had the pleasure of witnessing Toni Morrison accept the PEN/Borders Literary Service Award at the 2008 PEN Literary Gala. It was truly inspiring to see Ms. Morrison recognized for her tremendous efforts. We feel fortunate to have such wonderful partners that care deeply about the state of literacy in our country. In honor of her award and our heroes at Borders, First Book will donate 10,000 books this summer to children who need them most.
First Book is happy to report that in the three years that we have worked with Borders, over $2.7 million in new books have gone to children in need across the country, with thousands of community groups impacted by Borders generous support. Congratulations to Toni Morrison and all of our friends at Borders.
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There’s a Giant in the library!
May 29th, 2008
Mary Beth F.
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Last Friday, First Book joined Super Bowl XLII Champion and New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck at a reading event at Central Elementary School in Rockford, AL. Tuck, a native of Rockford, was on hand to celebrate the launch of Tuck’s R.U.S.H. for Literacy initiative. The program aspires to encourage children to READ, UNDERSTAND, SUCCEED, and HOPE as they continue to nurture literacy in their lives.Working with the Central Alabama Community Foundation and the Horseshoe
Bend Regional Library, Tuck teamed up with First Book to donate 4,500 new books to support the 2008 bookmobile program, which will visit various Coosa County locations this summer. Tuck will continue his commitment through the R.U.S.H. for Literacy program throughout the New York City metro area when the 2008 season kicks off this fall. -
James Patterson Signing For First Book at BEA!
May 28th, 2008
Jen W.
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First Book is excited to announce that bestselling author and longtime First Book supporter James Patterson will be autographing copies of the third book in his popular Maximum Ride series, Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports, on Saturday, May 31st from 3:00-4:00 pm at our booth during this year’s Book Expo America meeting in Los Angeles!For those of you who plan to be at the meeting this coming weekend, be sure to swing by booth # W3 in the West Hall (just outside the double doors to the Children’s Book section) and say hello to the First Book team. We’d love to meet you!
For First Book’s full schedule of authors signing at our booth during BEA, please click here.
See you at BEA!
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Food for the Body, Food for the Mind in Keene, NH
May 22nd, 2008
Nicole T.
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This week marked another chapter in my love affair with New England with a trip to Keene, New Hampshire. My colleague Matthew and I traveled to Keene for a First Book Meet and Greet in celebration of our Food for the Body, Food for the Mind campaign with C&S Wholesale Grocers. The initiative will distribute 50,000 new books in southwestern New Hampshire by the end of 2008.
First Book-Keene State College hosted the Meet and Greet on campus and provided a wonderful spread of refreshments. It was standing room only as we told programs throughout the Monadnock region about how they could receive books from the initiative. (Matthew and I are secretly claiming that we held the best Meet and Greet ever!)
Earlier in the day, we walked around the quaint Keene community to visit some local programs and had wonderful tours of the Keene Public Library and the YMCA along the way. Everyone was so friendly and generous. We even received boxes of cookies at an impromptu stop at the Girls Scouts regional office!
Thank you Mary, Brie, Gina, Carol, Gail, Madeline and so many others for your wonderful hospitality and for the work you do every day serving children in need! Please view more photos from Keene.
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Pi Phi celebrates their 141st year with new books
April 28th, 2008
Katie B.
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First Book is proud to celebrate the joy of reading with the incredible women of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity. Today marks the Fraternity’s 141st year and another milestone in the Fraternity’s long history of supporting literacy.On April 28, 1867, 12 women joined together to form a secret college society for women at Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL, not knowing what the future would hold. More than 140 years later, those 12 women have touched the lives of over 236,000 members across North America. Pi Beta Phi was the first national secret college society of women to be modeled after the Greek-letter fraternities of men. At a time when few women were admitted to colleges and universities, Pi Beta Phi created a feeling of unity among pioneering women.
To honor this anniversary, First Book and Pi Beta Phi distributed 250,000 brand-new books to children in need across the country.
In addition, Pi Beta Phi and First Book hosted two reading party events in celebration of Founders’ Day in Dallas and Champaign, Illinois. Dallas area Pi Beta Phi alumnae and collegians and members of the University of Illinois chapter of Pi Beta Phi celebrated the donation of brand-new books by decorating bookplates and reading with local children. Each child participating received two new books to take home.
Pi Phi has a long legacy of supporting literacy and we applaud their renewed commitment to literacy for children across the country. Happy Birthday Pi Beta Phi!
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First Book in Massachusetts!
April 18th, 2008
Bonnie J.
Leave a Comment »On April 12th First Book University hosted a seminar and reception in Amherst, Massachusetts. Both events were held at the inspired Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. The museum, a 40,000 square foot building situated in a 7.5-acre apple orchard, was a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of DC living!
In addition to learning about fundraising and having a book granting party, we were treated to viewing the works of great authors and illustrators such as Arnold Lobel, Leo Leonni, and of course, Eric Carle. Our reception welcomed many guests to the art studio where Advisory Board members, Recipient Groups, and community members gathered to network and learn more about First Book as well as trying their creative hands at watercolor. In fact, I can now say that I have a work of art hanging in the Eric Carle Museum!Thanks to everyone who attended and made this event a success! If you were not able to make it, but are curious about the work First Book does, join us for a conference call on May 15th. Please email help@firstbook.org to register or visit our help center online at http://help.firstbook.org/.
