Author Archive: Rochee Jeffrey

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

Posted in: Focus on First Book, Impact Stories

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... Read more

500,000 Motown Book Distribution

Posted in: Impact Stories

This week, First Book and American Federation of Teachers members from Detroit and other Michigan communities helped to distribute 500,000 brand-new books to Michigan-area schools and schools throughout the country. Volunteers from Detroit-area AFT locals helped fill orders and load book cartons for those who came to the warehouse in... Read more

Volunteers in Action: Three Months to Make a Difference

Posted in: Impact Stories

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... Read more

First Book & The GM Foundation Bring Books to Kids in Michigan

Posted in: Focus on First Book

First Book is happy to be partnered with the GM Foundation to bring books to kids in need in the Michigan area. Our partnership was kicked off by an event in Flint, Michigan for 400  kids and was hosted by the local Boys & Girls Club. Thanks to the support of the... Read more

10,000 miles. 10,000 books. One Amazing Adventure.

Posted in: Impact Stories

 Today’s blog post is from Leon Logothetis. Leon and Steven Priovolos have teamed up again for the Mongol Rally, a road trip that starts Saturday outside of London and ends in Ulan Bator, Mongolia. For every mile the two drive (and rules of the rally say the car can’t have more than a 1.2... Read more

Success Stories: Literacy as Currency

Posted in: Focus on First Book, Impact Stories

Today’s guest blog post comes from Michelle Janaye. Michelle is the assistant director of The H.O.P.E. Scholarship, a non-profit organization designed to empower financially-challenged students with need-based scholarships. She is also a freelance writer and videographer in the Chicago metropolitan area. Follow her on Twitter @michellejanaye. There was never a... Read more

MLK, The Obamas & First Book

Posted in: Focus on First Book, Impact Stories, Our Partners

“Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” – Martin Luther King Jr. Every year,... Read more

First Book and Jet Blue Soar With Reading!

Posted in: Focus on First Book, Impact Stories

First Book is excited to be partnered with JetBlue’s “Soar with Reading” program.  Soar with Reading aims to keep children reading throughout the summer, harnessing a combination of in-flight and online literacy resources, community reading events and proving new books to children in need. For every reader who registered on... Read more

JetBlue and PBS KIDS Soar with Reading!

Posted in: Focus on First Book, Impact Stories

JetBlue crewmembers, PBS KIDS host Mr. Steve and PBS KIDS Characters Hooper and Super Why! touched down at the Anacostia Neighborhood Library this week to encourage children to keep reading over the summer. This summer, JetBlue and PBS KIDS launched the Soar with Reading program. Children traveling on JetBlue flights... Read more

Bullying and Books

Posted in: For Educators, Our Bookshelf

Over the past year, the issue of childhood bullying has ignited national discussion and debate. We have heard countless stories of children, parents, and teachers who have felt powerless in the face of school bullying. Many of us wonder how we can reach young people who are being abused and... Read more