The eBay Foundation and First Book, a nonprofit providing new books to children in need, are holding reading parties in three cities to celebrate the distribution of more than 300,000 children’s books nationwide.
Beginning on Monday, employees in eBay offices in Austin, Omaha and Los Angeles, will join local children to read with them and surprise them with their brand new books. Each site will receive 500 new books for the first and second-graders they serve, made possible as part of a grant of more than $300,000 from eBay Foundation.
Placing books into the hands of children who have none has been proven to produce tangible, measurable results in the fight against illiteracy. Within months of receiving their first books, kid’s interest in reading nearly triples, according to Louis Harris Impact Assessments, from 1999 and 2003.
“Thanks to the extraordinary commitment of the eBay Foundation, these children will experience the profound magic of books,” said Kyle Zimmer, president of First Book. “And, they’ll have the chance to become readers for life.”
“We’re proud to partner with First Book to help children discover the joy of reading,” said Bill Barmeier, chairman of eBay Foundation “This continues eBay Foundation’s long-standing tradition of connecting eBay employees with terrific causes in their local communities. We’re grateful to the eBay employees who have made this possible through their time and dedication.”
Since its founding in 1992, First Book has distributed more than 60 million free and low cost books in thousands of communities. From offices in the U.S. and Canada, the group works with local heroes devoted to children’s literacy in Head Start centers, libraries, soup kitchens, churches, housing projects, and afterschool initiatives. For more information visit www.firstbook.org.