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First-Book LCSC distributes book cards
First Book-Lewis-Clark State College announced that Riggins Elementary, White Bird Elementary, Elk City Elementary, Clearwater Valley Elementary, Clarkston’s Grantham Elementary, Grangeville Elementary, Salmon River Library, Lewiston City Library, Weippe Public Library, and Kamiah School District are the recipients of $500 Borders gift cards to purchase new books for children in their programs.
The gift cards are the result of donations made by Borders and Waldenbooks customers at the company’s more than 1,200 stores throughout the country during the 2007 holiday season.
First Book is a nonprofit organization with a mission to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. Through hundreds of local Advisory Boards, the First Book National Book Bank, and the First Book Marketplace, the organization provides an ongoing supply of new books to children participating in community-based mentoring, tutoring, and family literacy programs. First Book has provided more than 50 million new books to children in need in thousands of communities nationwide.
From Nov. 1 through Dec. 24, 2007, First Book and Borders Inc., a leading global retailer of books, music and movies, launched a giving campaign that encouraged Borders and Waldenbooks customers to make a donation to First Book as they made their holiday purchases. All of the nearly $1.1 million raised has been converted to Borders gift cards, which are being distributed to hundreds of nonprofit organizations affiliated with First Book, allowing them to purchase books for the children they serve.
Over the next two months, many of these organizations will collaborate with the Borders or Waldenbooks store in their community to give the children they work with an opportunity to spend the gift cards they received. The stores may hold story times and other special events to entertain the kids and help them select their books. For many of the children, this will be their first bookstore visit and the first time they have picked out new books.
“The generosity of Borders and their customers is overwhelming. We are thrilled by their focus on the community,” said Jasmine Petersen, coordinator of First Book-LCSC Advisory Board. “The power of books to impact and enrich young lives cannot be underestimated."
Youth Services Librarian Eva Griffin at Weippe Public Library said, "Our children are excited and appreciative of every book giveaway we have. First Book has been a key provider of these books for the kids. From infant to teen, I believe each patron has received at least one book courtesy of First Book. Parents, grandparents and students have taken time to write thank you notes or give a call."
Weippe Library Director Terri Summerfield added, "It is our great pleasure to commend the efforts of Lewis Clark Service Corps Americorps and Volunteers First Book Program."
“I am very pleased with the success of the Borders and Waldenbooks Holiday Campaign and I congratulate LCSC on being one of this year's success stories for First Book, said London Kreautler, Manager of Waldenbooks. ‘We are lucky to have such a great community presence in Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington who are willing to contribute money and time to this great program. Every dollar awarded to First Book is used to provide a new book for a child who would otherwise be unable to afford one through public schools and local libraries. Our company is passionate about First book and will continue to campaign with local organizations and further its success.”
The 2007 holiday promotion was the fourth successful initiative by First Book and Borders Group. Since Borders announced its alliance with First Book in November 2005, more than $2.7 million has been raised and contributed to First Book to provide new books for children in need nationwide.
For more information on First Book-LCSC, contact Petersen at (208) 792-2194, or e-mail jgpetersen@lcsc.edu
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