Banking On Books: TD Bank and First Book Bring 20,000 New Books to Kids in Need

Posted in: Focus on First Book, Impact Stories

We are excited to share the big news that our friends at TD Charitable Foundation are stepping up with $114,000 in grants to put books in the hands of kids in need! The TD Charitable Foundation and First Book have provided new books to 50 schools and programs for the... Read more

Lots of Noise, But No One in the Room

Posted in: Focus on First Book, Impact Stories

“There is a great deal of noise on the stairs but nobody comes into the room.” — John F. Kennedy President Kennedy was referencing a Chinese proverb when he said that, making the point that it was easy to talk about problems, but much more difficult to fix them. Kyle... Read more

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

Teachers Join Forces With First Book: Weingarten Challenges AFT Members to Give Five Million Books to Kids in Need

Posted in: Focus on First Book

This is our new challenge. Today I am calling on AFT members to partner with First Book to distribute five million new books this year to students in need. — Randi Weingarten, AFT president First Book was in Detroit over the weekend, attending the annual convention of the American Federation... Read more

Creating Success Stories for 20 Years

Posted in: Focus on First Book

Twenty years ago I was volunteering every week at a soup kitchen in Washington, D.C., where I met the most amazing children and families. As I got to know them, I saw how much they had to struggle, but I also saw how bright they were and how motivated they... 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

We Couldn't Have Done It Without You

Posted in: Focus on First Book

We had a great year at First Book, thanks to the help of supporters like you. Together, we’re transforming the lives of millions of children in need by ensuring they have new books of their own to read. I want to take a moment to say thank you, and tell... Read more

Books, Books, Books, Books, Books! First Book is Working Overtime to Distribute One Million Books by Next Weekend

Posted in: Focus on First Book

Yesterday we went to Nashville and picked up 50 cases of books for our organization that serves special needs and will be delivering them tomorrow at our basketball signups. This is going to be such an amazing thing for these special children and I can’t wait to see the smiles... Read more