As a teacher, I know how schools in low-income communities lack resources. As a literacy teacher, I know how important it is to have a wealth of books available build a love of reading in each student. When I was a teacher in New Orleans, I served on the board of First Book-NOLA. I helped give out thousands of books to children across the New Orleans metropolitan area. Nevertheless, when I moved to DC, I learned that their First Book Advisory Board was inactive. This broke my heart and I decided to do something about it. I contacted First Book National and soon was asked to co-chair the effort to bring First Book-DC back!
Here are three simple things you can do to help First-Book DC:
1) Make a donation to our Fall Into Reading fundraising campaign by visiting www.firstbook.org/dc. Our Advisory Board raises funds for the purchase of books for kids in the Washington, DC area. Currently, we are working to raise $2,000 – enough money to provide 1,000 new books to kids in Washington, DC. Our goal is to raise this money by October 31. It is my hope that we will reach and even exceed our goal with your support. Every $2.00 donated provides a book to a child in need. So, a donation of just $10 will purchase 5 new books. A donation of $50 will provide 25 books – enough for an entire class of DC students.
2) Like First Book-DC on Facebook. We’ll be posting updates about the progress of our fundraising campaign on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/FirstBookDC. Be sure to “like” us on Facebook so you can stay up-to-date about our upcoming activities, events and fundraisers.
3) Help us spread the word about First Book-DC. Do you know of a program, teacher, school or other organization in Washington, DC that could benefit from a First Book grant for new books? Help them connect with us by directing them to our website at www.firstbook.org/dc.
For more information about First Book, visit www.firstbook.org.
Thank you for your support.
Darla Bunting 