First Book

Do you remember your first book?

Heaven's, I certainly hope not. In a perfect world, our first book would be read to us while we were cradled in our mother's arms, not more than a few days old.

We do not live in a perfect world.  We do, however, live in a world filled with people with very good intentions.

Mission: First Book provides new books to children in need addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy – access to books.

Inspiration: Kyle Zimmer, a corporate lawyer by day, tutored children at an inner-city soup kitchen by night. She discovered that the children she tutored had no books to read. That year, Kyle left her day job, and she and two friends founded First Book to provide new books and resources to the children who needed them the most. They delivered 12,000 books to local communities in the Washington DC area the first year.

Achievement: Now, nearly 20 years later, First Book has delivered more than 65 million books to programs serving children in need across the United States and Canada. 

You might stop by their site and see what you can do to help. You might already help in your own hometown. If not this organization, then you can certainly find a dozen more like it. But this year, do something to encourage the joy and empowerment of reading.