Bringing Books, Confidence, and Joy to Kids in Need in Wasco and Hood River County
“There’s nothing better than seeing the children's faces light up when they get their books.” - DeeAnn Bohn
A student at school in Cascade Locks receiving their First Book books. Photo Credit: First Book
By Cole Goodwin
First Book, a non-profit organization that has distributed 64,315 books to kids in need in Wasco and Hood River Counties, is seeking donations to help fund their 2023 season.
Local First Book programs use donations to buy books at heavily discounted rates (as much as 98% off), with some titles costing as little as $1 a piece when they buy in bulk from the First Book National Book Bank and Marketplace.
“That means even small donations can go a long way,” said DeeAnn Bohn the Program Coordinator/Facilitator at Play&Learn@Home who works closely with First Book. “At that rate $50 can buy as many as fifty books and a $100 donation can buy up to one hundred books for the kids in Wasco and Hood River County.”
Bohn said that there’s nothing better than seeing the children's faces when they get their books.
“Their eyes light up, their backs straighten, and smiles go on,” said Bohn, “Getting to own their own books and take them home is transformational for these kids.”
The First Book program has had a big impact on kids and families in the Gorge.
“We hear stories all the time from parents about how reading these books to their kids has not only strengthened their child’s reading and math abilities but also their child’s confidence, and self-esteem.”
Students hold up their books and a sign saying “Thank You First Book.” Photo Credit: First Book
The First Book program also comes with activities that help promote parent and child bonding, while also engaging in language and literacy.
“Parents also say that they feel more connected to and have better interactions with their child because reading to your child helps improve your parent/child bond” said Bohn “There’s just something so safe and comforting about snuggling up and being read to.”
Having books available in the home also helps kids learn to love the process of learning and have the independence to enjoy learning, even on their own.
“Just the other day I went to my friend's house and I saw her kid grab a book and a blanket and snuggle up in her cardboard fort and was totally happy,” said Bohn “It’s good for kids to have a happy place. And books are a great happy place to have.”
First Book let’s local educators pick the books that they distribute, to ensure that books are age appropriate, educational, and fun to read.
“Even if a child can’t read yet, just learning to look at a picture book and point things out and name them builds vocabulary and the foundational understanding that pictures and symbols have a word attached to them, and that every word has a meaning, which is huge” said Bohn.
Students flipping through the pages of their First Book books. Photo Credit: First Book
TO DONATE:
To donate to First Books Wasco County program click here.
To donate to First Books Hood River County program click here.
All donations support First Book’s local programs which advance equal education opportunities for kids in need. 100% of donations are used to provide new books and resources.
TO RECEIVE BOOKS:
To learn how you can get free books and resources for your classroom or program in the Wasco or Hood River County area, or to volunteer with, please contact First Book at nancypaul@gorge.net.
Mailing addresses:
First Book Wasco County, PO Box 82, The Dalles, Oregon 97058
First Book Hood River County, PO Box 221, Hood River, Oregon 97031
About First Book Hood River County
First Book Hood River County was established in 2000. They have partnered with more than 19 organizations (such as The Next Door Family Services, MCCC and OCDC Head Start, Title I schools, and after-school enrichment programs) to bring more than 55,392 books to children in the area.
About First Book Wasco County
First Book Wasco County was established in 2019. They have partnered with more than 7 organizations (such as The Next Door Family Services, MCCC and OCDC Head Start, and Title I schools) to bring more than 8,923 books to children in the area.
About First Book National
Every child deserves to know the joy of reading and the promise books bring for success in school and in life. Yet millions grow up without books in their lives. First Book provides the books and educational essentials children need from birth through age 18 so they can learn, grow and thrive. Learn more at FirstBook.org.
