First Book Press Releases

KPMG, Golf Champion Phil Mickelson Pair for Charitable Campaign to Provide Thousands of Books to Children in Need

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:24:16 GMT

Press Release KPMG, Golf Champion Phil Mickelson Pair for Charitable Campaign to Provide Thousands of Books to Children in Need KPMG to Kick-off 'Blue for Books' Campaign by Donating First 1,500 Books to YMCA Willow Creek Caring Community Center, and Promoting Literacy at Shell Houston Open NEW YORK, March 26, 2012 KPMG LLP and golf champion Phil Mickelson have paired to launch 'Blue for Books,' a nationwide charitable initiative designed to put thousands of books into the hands of children in need, through the sale of KPMG blue golf hats, just like the KPMG hat that Mickelson wears on tour. Phil Mickelson will wear the new KPMG blue hat for the first time during the Shell Houston Open held March 27 to April 1 at Redstone Golf Club in Humble, Texas, where he is the Defending Champion. "For the first time, golf fans everywhere will have access to the same KPMG hat as Phil," said John Veihmeyer, Chairman and CEO of KPMG LLP, the U.S. Audit, Tax and Advisory firm. "We created 'Blue for Books' as a way for Phil's fans to be able to wear his hat while also supporting KPMG's Family for Literacy (KFFL)." "We understand that the toughest roadblock to children's literacy Read more... (http://www.firstbook.org/component/content/article/5-press-release/192-kpmg-golf-champion-phil-mickelson-pair-for-charitable-campaign-to-provide-thousands-of-books-to-children-in-need)

First Book Earns Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:18:15 GMT

Press Release First Book Earns Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator WASHINGTON, March 19, 2012 First Book, the nonprofit that provides new books to kids in need across the country, has been awarded a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. America's premier charity evaluator, Charity Navigator rates nonprofit organizations to provide donors of all levels with reliable data about the impact, efficiency and fiscal health of the organizations. "We've been putting new books into the hands of children and teachers for twenty years," said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book. "The work that we do helps transform the lives of kids in need, and we're delighted to be recognized by Charity Navigator. We want our donors to feel confident that we're putting their hard-earned gifts to good use, and this rating proves that." The four-star rating is Charity Navigator's highest possible evaluation. About First BookFirst Book has distributed more than 90 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families throughout the United States and Canada. By making new, high-quality books available on an ongoing basis, First Book is transforming the lives of children in need and the elevating the quality of education. For more information, please Read more... (http://www.firstbook.org/component/content/article/5-press-release/189-first-book-earns-four-star-rating-from-charity-navigator)

TESOL and First Book Team Up to Provide New Books to Philadelphia Kids

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:10:31 GMT

Press Release TESOL and First Book Team Up to Provide New Books to Philadelphia Kids WASHINGTON, March 14 – First Book (http://www.firstbook.org/), the national nonprofit that provides new books to kids in need, is joining forces with TESOL International Association (http://www.tesol.org/) to provide more than 4,000 brand-new books to Philadelphia students from low-income families. During TESOL's upcoming convention in Philadelphia, March 28-31, attendees and exhibitors will donate the funds to provide new books to local kids in need. Every $2.50 donated pays for one brand-new book through First Book, and TESOL has pledged to raise at least $10,000. “TESOL members know first-hand the devastating effects of illiteracy on the lives of students,” said Rosa Aronson, PhD, CAE, Executive Director of TESOL. “TESOL's partnership with First Book provides attendees with a concrete way to make a difference for the children of the Philadelphia public schools. We are proud to be part of this important initiative.” The book donation marks the beginning of a partnership between the two organizations that will benefit students and teachers across the country. Any TESOL educator working with kids from low-income families will be able to get new books, free and at low-cost, from First Book for their programs. "At First Book, our Read more... (http://www.firstbook.org/component/content/article/5-press-release/187-tesol-and-first-book-team-up-to-provide-new-books-to-philadelphia-kids)

Coach Frank Beamer and First Book Join Forces to Bring New Books to Virginia Kids

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:50:16 GMT

Press Release Coach Frank Beamer and First Book Join Forces to Bring New Books to Virginia Kids Foundation to Fund 32,000 New Books for Kids in Need ROANOKE, Va., March 6, 2012 -- On Friday, Herma's Readers (http://www.hermasreaders.com/), the Virginia literacy foundation founded by legendary Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer, and First Book (http://www.firstbook.org/), the national nonprofit that provides new books to kids in need, announced a new partnership that will provide 32,000 brand-new books to kids from low-income families across Virginia. "The research is there, and it's clear," said Beamer. "If we get students passionate about reading at a young age, it benefits everyone. Research shows that children who are actively reading by the third grade are more likely to be on the right track to graduate." Beamer founded Herma's Readers in 2008 to promote reading. The foundation was named in honor of his mother, a lifelong educator with Virginia public schools. "We're thrilled to work with Coach Beamer to get more new books into the hands of Virginia kids," said Kyle Zimmer, president of First Book. "Teachers like Herma Beamer spend their lives doing everything they can to make a difference in the Read more... (http://www.firstbook.org/component/content/article/5-press-release/185-coach-frank-beamer-and-first-book-join-forces-to-bring-new-books-to-virginia-kids)

100 Million Books to Kids in Need

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:26:46 GMT

Press Release 100 Million Books to Kids in Need First Book Celebrates 20 Years of Creating Success Stories by Bringing More Books to More Kids WASHINGTON, Feb. 21, 2012 -- First Book, a nonprofit that provides new books and educational resources to children in need, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a call to action. This year, First Book pledges to distribute its 100 millionth new book, and double the number of schools and programs in its national network, from 25,000 to 50,000. The organization is also planning to expand its digital offerings to include e-books and other educational resources. In addition, First Book, which currently operates across the U.S. and in Canada, is developing pilot programs in India and the United Kingdom. "First Book is on a mission to use the knowledge we've gained in the past 20 years to dramatically increase our outreach to children in need," said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book. "We're at a critical juncture: the number of children living in poverty is at record levels, and budget shortfalls are increasing stresses on schools, libraries and social services across the country." "The facts are clear," said Zimmer. "Access to a steady stream of Read more... (http://www.firstbook.org/component/content/article/5-press-release/180-100-million-books-to-kids-in-need)

Mo Willems and First Book Join Forces to Bring New Books to New Orleans Kids

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:12:39 GMT

Press Release Mo Willems and First Book Join Forces to Bring New Books to New Orleans Kids WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2012 Mo Willems, author and illustrator of the award-winning Elephant Piggie books, is teaming up with First Book, the national nonprofit that provides new books for kids in need, to bring books to second-graders at Title I schools in Louisiana and Massachusetts. Willems, who the Washington Post called "the most famous man in the literary world, if you are under three feet tall (http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/mo-willems-is-the-go-to-author-for-children--and-their-parents/2012/01/06/gIQAFLztfP_story.html)", grew up in New Orleans and lives in Massachusetts. This is the second year he has worked with First Book to reach children from low-income families in those communities. "First Book works with kids in thousands of Title I schools, and they love Mo's books," said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book. "These are the popular, high-quality books that more affluent parents are able to afford for their children, and those are exactly the kinds of books we want to distribute. We're excited to provide them because the kids are excited to read them." First Book is providing over 7,000 Elephant Piggie books, thanks to support from Willems and Disney Publishing Worldwide, who are making the Read more... (http://www.firstbook.org/component/content/article/5-press-release/175-mo-willems-and-first-book-join-forces-to-bring-new-books-to-new-orleans-kids)

First Book Canada to Distribute 45,000 Books to Children in Need in British Columbia

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:48:09 GMT

Press Release First Book Canada to Distribute 45,000 Books to Children in Need in British Columbia First Book Canada and Decoda Literacy Solutions Join Forces to Distribute Brand-New Books MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Jan. 30 -- First Book Canada (http://www.firstbookcanada.org/), working with Decoda Literacy Solutions (http://decoda.ca/), is distributing 45,000 books to children from low-income families across the region this week. Over 50 local teachers and program leaders across British Columbia will be picking up books for their programs. The books were donated by Owlkids Books, Raincoast Books and Orca Books, all Canadian publishers working with First Book Canada. "A big part of the Owlkids mandate is to have our books and magazines enjoyed by as many Canadian children as possible," said Jennifer Canham, Group Publisher, Owlkids Books. "We dream that children's lives can be full of happiness. And we know giving the gift of reading will fulfill our dream. We value partners like First Book Canada who help us do just that." First Book Canada receives new books from publishers, and makes those books available to programs serving children from low-income families at regular book distributions around the country. This will be First Book Canada's first visit to British Columbia. "From a child's first Read more... (http://www.firstbook.org/component/content/article/5-press-release/174-first-book-canada-to-distribute-45000-books-to-children-in-need-in-british-columbia-)

Credit Suisse Hails First Book's Innovative Work in New Report Released at Davos

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:57:19 GMT

Press Release Credit Suisse Hails First Book's Innovative Work in New Report Released at Davos WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ In a new report released at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, Credit Suisse highlighted First Book (http://www.firstbook.org/)'s ground-breaking work as a prime example of a successful social enterprise. The report, "Investing for Impact: How social entrepreneurship is redefining the meaning of return (https://www.credit-suisse.com/news/en/media_release.jsp?ns=41934)", from Credit Suisse Research in collaboration with the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, provides the global financial community with insight into the major trends shaping impact investing around the world. First Book is included as one of five organizations providing "innovative yet pragmatic approaches to solving social problems". First Book is a nonprofit that provides new books to schools and local programs serving children from low-income families. Founded twenty years ago, First Book reaches a network of 27,000 schools and programs in the United States, plus 500 more in Canada, and has distributed over 85 million books to kids in need. "We're pleased that the global investment community is paying attention to First Book and our impact," said Kyle Zimmer, First Book's president and CEO. "Along with other organizations around the world, we're charting the way to civil Read more... (http://www.firstbook.org/component/content/article/5-press-release/172-credit-suisse-hails-first-books-innovative-work-in-new-report-released-at-davos)

First Book Launches Major Upgrade to Get More New Books to Kids in Need

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:20:22 GMT

Press Release First Book Launches Major Upgrade to Get More New Books to Kids in Need Updated 'Marketplace' Website Launches Today; Nonprofits and Title I Schools Will Have Better Access to New Books WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 – Today, First Book (http://www.firstbook.org/), a nonprofit that provides new books to kids in need, launched a major upgrade to the award-winning First Book Marketplace (http://www.fbmarketplace.org/). With these changes, educators and program leaders who work with children from low-income families will be able to get new, high-quality books for the children they serve, faster and easier. “There are tens of millions of children in this country who don’t have even the basic resources they need to learn and thrive,” said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book. “By providing them with new, high-quality books, we’re helping to turn them into readers; something absolutely critical to their success.” In the New York Times in May, David Bornstein wrote (http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/16/a-book-in-every-home-and-then-some/): “The First Book Marketplace is trying to do for publishing what micro-finance did for banking: crack open a vast potential market that is underserved at significant social cost.” There are over 27,000 schools and programs signed up with First Book, serving kids from birth to age 18, all of which have Read more... (http://www.firstbook.org/component/content/article/5-press-release/161-first-book-launches-major-upgrade-to-get-more-new-books-to-kids-in-need)

Holiday Giving Alternatives: Provide New Books to Kids in Need

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:26:01 GMT

Press Release Holiday Giving Alternatives: Provide New Books to Kids in Need $2.50 Supplies a Brand-New Book for a Child in Need Disney to Match Every $1 Donation with One Additional Book WASHINGTON, Nov. 14 – For anyone who wants to brighten the lives of others this holiday season, you can give the gift of reading to kids from low-income families. New books donated to children who have none of their own will bring smiles to their faces and help change their lives for the better. First Book (http://www.firstbook.org/) is a nonprofit that provides brand-new books to kids in need, through a network of 28,000 schools and programs across the country. A donation of $2.50 provides a new book for a kid in need. This holiday season, Disney Publishing Worldwide has joined forces with us to magnify the impact of your gift. Disney Publishing Worldwide has pledged to donate one new book to children in the First Book network of schools and programs for every dollar raised. “After a year of funding cuts for schools and community programs, there’s a dire need to reach out and help take care of the most vulnerable members of our communities,” said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book. “We Read more... (http://www.firstbook.org/component/content/article/5-press-release/158-holiday-giving-alternatives-provide-new-books-to-kids-in-need)