40,000 BOOKS COMING TO SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

First Book to Distribute Books on Friday & Saturday, October 17 & 18, 2014

A sample of books to be distributed.

A total of 40,000 books will be distributed from First Book on Friday and Saturday, October 17 & 18, 2014 at the Inland Empire United Way Warehouse located at 9644 Hermosa Avenue in Rancho Cucamonga.

Friday, October 17, 2014 First Book will hold a Media Day beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Media will be able to take video/photos of the 40,000 books and their distribution as teachers, child care providers and other child-serving professionals select their quantity of books designated.

Ted Alejandre, deputy superintendent, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and Dr. Tomás Morales, president of California State University, San Bernardino will be in attendance to experience the County receiving these much needed books.

"County Schools is pleased to participate with First Book in this very important event for the children of San Bernardino County,” states Alejandre. “Research shows that early literacy is essential to a student’s academic success. Providing children with books early on helps to develop a love of reading they will carry through their academic and adult life, contributing to life-long learning and future success."

San Bernardino County Preschool Services Department, Children’s Fund, First 5 San Bernardino, Inland Empire United Way, Child Care Resource Center, County of San Bernardino Library, National CORE and San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools have joined together as an Advisory Board to form “San Bernardino County First Book (SBCFB)”.  First Book provides access to new books for children in need, transforming the lives of children and elevating the quality of education by making new, high-quality books available on an ongoing basis

Learning to read is critical to a child’s success – both in school and in life.  Literacy is one of the best predictor’s of a child’s success. For children who are growing up in poverty; books are scarce. Only 42% of third graders in San Bernardino County are proficient in reading. 

Through grass roots efforts and networking, the Advisory Board worked to get several schools and organizations registered (more than 675 registrants) to be eligible to receive books through First Book.  The books will be given to 20,000 children (each child will receive two books) to take home.

First Book President, Kyle Zimmer, founded First Book with two friends in 1992 to create an organization dedicated to providing new books to children in need.  In that first year, First Book distributed 12,000 books in three communities – and now deliver more than 35,000 new books on average per day.

8-Year-Old Raises $2,500 for Children's Fund

Raven Cases of Highland raises $2,500 to help underprivileged kids

 

Raven Casas is 8 years old and lives in Highland, California.  She attends Valley Preparatory School in Redlands.  She is not like most 8-year-olds! In May of this year she decided that she wanted to help kids who can't afford things, even things as simple as school supplies.  Her grandparents helped her surf the internet, and Raven chose Children's Fund to donate to because they help underprivileged children.  Since May she has raised $2,500 through the help of fellow students, family, and friends.

Raven's parents, Latisha and Patrick Casas are very proud of their daughter and were not too surprised by their daughter's desire to help as they try to emphasize the importance of giving. They suggested that she organize a fund drive.  A little bit nervous, this second grader made a presentation to the middle school students at her school.

"The big kids responded in an encouraging way, going to their headmaster to get permission to put a collection container in the school office," Raven said.   Not stopping there, Raven reached out to family members, friends and her karate class teammates, determined to collect enough money to make a difference.

Children's Fund is delighted that she chose their organization.  "Kids helping kids, how great is that? We are so pleased that an 8-year-old would be caring enough of others, and to actually follow through and make it happen is amazing," states Karen Blanco of Children’s Fund.

Claremont/West-End Auxiliary of Children's Fund Presents Check for $56,500

Members of the Claremont/West-End Auxiliary, Sue Volz (l) and Barbara Williams (r) presents Erin Phillips, President & CEO of Children's Fund with a check for $56,500.