Category Archive: Impact Stories

35,000 Programs and Counting

Posted in: Impact Stories

Exciting news! There are now 35,000 schools and programs serving kids in need in the First Book network. That’s 35,000 classrooms, libraries, church groups, afterschool programs, homeless shelters, military programs and daycare centers; all with permanent, ongoing access to a steady stream of brand-new, high-quality books. But as pleased as... Read more

"Kids Can Have Their Own Books in Their Own Houses"

Posted in: Impact Stories

The thing that I like about First Book is that kids can have their own books in their own houses that their parents can read to them, and, later, that they can read themselves. — Jane Greene, First Book supporter Jane Greene is a longtime supporter of First Book. She... 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

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

What Is Social Entrepreneurship? (And Why First Book Is Such a Good Example)

Posted in: Focus on First Book, Impact Stories

A social entrepreneur is someone who sees a social problem — like hunger, homelessness or lack of access to clean water — and looks for ways to solve it. Unlike more traditional business entrepreneurs, who are trying to generate profits, social entrepreneurs are trying to change society. Long-term change is... Read more

JetBlue Helps First Book Provide 10,000 New Books to Kids for Black History Month

Posted in: Focus on First Book, Impact Stories

Civil rights leader and former United States Representative Barbara Jordan once proclaimed, “Do not call for black power or green power. Call for brain power.” This February, our friends at JetBlue are answering that call by providing 10,000 new books to kids in need. The books will go to schools... 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