First Book News
First Book Distributes 250,000 Books Nationwide in Celebration of Pi Beta Phi Founders' Day
Pi Beta Phi's Literacy Efforts to Impact Thousands of Children Across the Country
WASHINGTON, April 28 PRNewswire-USNewswire — First Book held a nationwide book distribution of 250,000 new books to celebrate literacy partner, Pi Beta Phi's Founders' Day, with books donated by long-time publishing partner, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. Pi Beta Phi's commitment to literacy outreach with partner, First Book, made 200,000 books available to organizations serving children in need all across the country, with an additional 50,000 books given through Pi Beta Phi's "Make Your Mark for Literacy" campaign in conjunction with Pi Beta Phi's 2008 Fraternity Day of Service, held on March 2, 2008. For this event, Pi Beta Phi members and alumnae personalized bookplates which each then generated a new book for a child.
In celebration of Founders' Day and as part of the nationwide distribution, Pi Beta Phi and First Book hosted two reading party events in Dallas and Champaign, Illinois. Dallas area Pi Beta Phi alumnae and collegians and members of the University of Illinois chapter of Pi Beta Phi celebrated the donation of brand-new books by decorating bookplates and reading with local children. Each child participating received two new books to take home.
"We are delighted that Pi Beta Phi has reached out through their nationwide network of active members and alumnae to reach real children in real need. They recognize that books change lives one book at a time," said Kyle Zimmer, President of First Book. "The children of Dallas and Champaign, and those across the nation, now have books thanks to Pi Beta Phi's tremendous and ongoing commitment to literacy."
"Pi Beta Phi is pleased to honor our founding 141 years ago with this distribution of 250,000 books," said Emily Tarr, Pi Beta Phi Grand President. "For almost 100 years Pi Phi's have been committed to the cause of literacy and we are dedicated to continuing our efforts along side our First Book partners."
About First Book
First Book is a nonprofit organization with a single 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. For more information about First Book, please visit http://www.firstbook.org or call 866-393-1222.
About Pi Beta Phi
Founded in 1867 at Monmouth College in Illinois, Pi Beta Phi continues to thrive today with a membership of more than 150,000, including 131 active chapters on college campuses in the United States and Canada and over 330 alumnae groups worldwide. The Fraternity has a long legacy of supporting literacy and through a partnership with First Book, they have renewed their commitment to literacy for children across the country. The Fraternity promotes friendship, develops women of intellect and integrity, cultivates leadership potential and enriches the lives of members and their communities. For more information, please visit www.pibetaphi.org or call 636-256-0680.
SOURCE First Book
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