Hood River and Wasco County First Book Program Expands and Rebrands

First Book Hood River County and First Book Wasco County become “Books for Kids Columbia Gorge”

Kids enjoying the books they’ve received from First Book. (Left to right) Yaretssi Sandoval Flores, Kayla Arreola Reyes , Aniyah Alvarado, Alan Reyes Ciriano, Juanpablo Moreno, Mateo Sanchez Barajas and in middle Kasandra Ciriano Perez. 

by Books for Kids Columbia Gorge

Hood River, OR— After 22 years (Hood River) and 5 years (Wasco) of individual county efforts to improve the literacy of underserved children, First Book Hood River County and First Book Wasco County are combining their literacy efforts and adding Klickitat and Skamania Counties to become “Books for Kids Columbia Gorge”.

The reason this is being done is that the national First Book will no longer accept checks which is the main way that contributors support the local literacy efforts. Also the national First Book has decided the local effort can no longer use the First Book name and logo so both of these were needed to be developed by the combined Board.

The Gorge Ecumenical Ministries (GEM) which is a 501(c) 3 organization, has agreed to accept Books for Kids Columbia Gorge to join their work to help people and the environment. GEM will charge no administrative fee. It is understood upon accepting the literacy effort that the Books for Kids Columbia Gorge Board will make efforts to develop their own 501 (c) 3 within the next few years. GEM sponsors other community efforts such as Columbia Gorge Climate Action Network, Somos Uno (We are One), Emergency Voucher Program, and the Immigrant Relief Fund. Checks will be deposited in a local bank and then the funds will be sent regularly to First Book national office in Washington D.C. for Columbia Gorge book grants through the First Book “Marketplace”.

Books for Kids Columbia Gorge will continue the good work that First Book has done for underserved children. With the pandemic the literacy development of children has suffered and not developed at the previous rates. The need for books in the home is greater than ever and Books for Kids Columbia Gorge is committed to getting the books to our local vulnerable children. A tax deductible donation can be made to Books for Kids Columbia Gorge-Hood River PO Box 221 Hood River, Oregon 97031 or Books for Kids Columbia Gorge- Wasco County PO Box 82 The Dalles, Oregon 97058. Shortly a mailbox will be set up for Klickitat/Skamania County Books for Kids Columbia Gorge. Donations should not be sent directly to the First Book national office since those funds may not be used in the Columbia Gorge.

If you or someone you know wants to help this important literacy effort contact Nancy Johanson Paul at 541 490-5330 or njpsun53@gmail.com. There is a need for persons to lead a fundraising campaign for September 2023 to January 2024 in Wasco County, Hood River County, and Klickitat/Skamania Counties. The newly formed Joint Board for three community areas also needs a Treasurer, Secretary and Board members. The literacy effort meets generally just three times a year. Also a grant report monitor is needed and publicity coordinator.

Book distributions have been happening recently at The Next Door Family Services Home Visiting program, Oregon Child Development Coalition, The Dalles and Hood River Head Start, NORCOR Juvenile program, Hood River School District ExCEL After school program at Cascade Locks School, Parkdale Elementary, Mid Valley Elementary, Wy’east Middle School, and a book distribution at May St. Elementary ESL Program.

Nancy Johanson Paul who has been involved in this literacy for 22 years has found the work to be very rewarding.

“Seeing the joy and excitement on the kids’ faces when they receive their books to take home is wonderful!” said Paul.