How to Give Books to Kids in Need this Holiday

If you’re like us here at First Book, you feel there is no better holiday present for a child than a book. As the holiday season approaches, we want you to know about the many ways you can fill a bookshelf or provide a classroom with much-needed learning resources.

Here’s a few ways you can support our mission to provide books and educational essentials to kids who need them most this holiday:

1. Donate to First Book in a friend’s name & send a virtual card

The perfect holiday gift for a friend or loved is one that will make a lasting impact. Thanks to the generosity of Penguin Random House, your donation to First Book will get twice as many books into the hands of kids who need them most. Through December 31, 2019, every $3 helps provide 2 new books to a young reader. Click here to make a donation. Select dedicate my donation in honor or memory of someone before completing your online transaction. Then, choose which e-card you would like to include.

Add your friend or family member’s email address, and they will receive a beautifully designed, special edition Corduroy-themed e-card mailed especially to them!

2. Join First Book’s Book Club

Have you heard of our brand new book club? Much like traditional subscription boxes, Book Club members receive an exclusive monthly package, including up to 3 specially selected books, personal notes from authors and illustrators, inside updates from top publishers, and much more throughout your ongoing support. Membership starts at $30/ month. Don’t forget, your monthly gift is tax-deductible, too. Click here to learn more and join our book club!

3. Start a Classy Campaign peer-to-peer fundraiser

Our donation platform, Classy, also allows individuals the opportunity to activate their personal networks and fundraise on their own. Launching a fundraiser is a quick and easy way to invite family and friends to help support your classroom or program, or that of a First Book educator friend! Click here to start your fundraiser and check out our Fundraiser Toolkit for more tips and tricks on making the greatest impact for the kids you serve through a campaign.

4. Start a Facebook donation campaign

You can give back to First Book without leaving your News Feed! Facebook fundraisers are an easy way to tell your friends and family how you support First Book. Click here to download a Word document of step-by-step instructions on setting up your own Facebook donation campaign. We’ve even created special Facebook cover photos to help you decorate your donation campaign! You can find them on our Facebook page or save one of the images below (highlighted in tip #7)!

5. Visit First Book’s social media profiles

No need to put your phone away. Donations can be made directly through Facebook and Instagram with the click of a button. Simply click the donate button on our social media pages and follow the prompts!

6. Add a “donate” sticker to your Instagram Story

Did you know you can support causes in Instagram Stories? By simply adding a donate button to your Instagram story content, your followers can support kids and educators in need. Click here to download a Word document with step-by-step directions on how to add a donate button to your Instagram story!

7. Make our special Corduroy imagery your Facebook profile picture or cover photo

You can support our holiday Hope Love Give campaign by featuring us in your Facebook cover photo. To download a cover photo, right click and select “save as” on one of the images below. To feature us in your profile picture, click here to download a word document with step-by-step instructions on how to add a First Book frame to your existing profile picture. We’d love to see how you use these specially designed images, so please make sure to use our hashtag #hopelovegive when featuring us in your social posts!

8. Ask your employer if they will match your holiday gift

Your donation to First Book may be eligible for your employer’s matching gift program to double, or even triple, your impact. Gifts from employee’s spouses and retirees may also qualify for a matching gift. Click here to check if your employer will match your donation.

Thank you for all the ways you show support to First Book and for all you do for the educators and kids we serve!

image of a classroom of kids holding up books. In the bottom left corner is text that says, 'March For What Matters. Support diverse books!' Underneath the text is a red button that says, 'I'll March for What Matters'.