First Book Encourages Local Childhood Literacy
First Book, a non-profit organization, gives children one resource many take for granted: books.Founded nationally in 1992, First Book strives to increase literacy by donating books to underprivileged communities."I think this effort makes a difference in the lives of youth locally and helps to improve literacy rates among child populations," said Chippewa Thomas, a professor in the department of special education, rehabilitation and counseling."As the organization's adviser and president of the Alabama Association of Multicultural Counseling and Development, Thomas said she will work this year to collect books and distribute them to local youth organizations, schools and individuals."As part of the 'Read Across Alabama' initiative in November, books will also be given to children at a school in Birmingham who don't have books at home of their own to read," Thomas said.First Book raises awareness in Auburn by planning fund-raisers at local restaurants and bookstores, said Kimberly Parent, First Book president at Auburn."We also raise the bulk of our funds through the generosity of our donors, and we do appreciate whatever people are willing to give," Parent said.Parent said gift cards will be available in October for those wanting to support the organization."Anyone who wants to show their support for children in need can purchase one and give it to someone they care about to show some holiday spirit," Parent said.The Auburn chapter of First Book began as an advocacy project, consisting of a book drive and reading day at a local elementary school, for one of Parent's classes."Then the idea kept getting bigger, and I spoke to someone who had started a First Book chapter at their school," Parent said.
