CALGARY, June 9 -- Earlier this month, First Book Canada distributed over 30,000 books to schools and programs serving children in need in Calgary and across Alberta. The brand-new books – all high-quality children’s titles – were distributed free of charge by the nonprofit organization.
“This distribution was the largest and most successful in our three-year history,” said Wayne Cochrane, director of operations for First Book Canada. “We’re excited to be able to reach out to more and more programs with high-quality books for the kids that they serve.”
The books were donated by Owlkids and Raincoast Books, and each school or program received titles that they had selected through First Book Canada. First Book Canada’s mission is to provide new, age-appropriate books that those closest to the children – the teachers and program administrators who know them best – feel they will be most excited about.
“Thanks to First Book Canada for its generous donation of books,” wrote Cheryl Doherty, executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary. “It is people like you that enable us to continue building upon our shared ideals for growth in our communities through advocacy, leadership and engagement of over 42,000 children, youth and families.”
Because it is a nonprofit, First Book Canada relies on partners and volunteers to help distribute the donated books. NeighbourLink Calgary hosted the distribution in their warehouse, and volunteers from Pi Beta Phi, Calgary Youth Corps and the local community came out to help ship and load boxes of books bound for classrooms, libraries and homes across Alberta.
First Book Canada holds regular distributions across the country. This was the third distribution in Calgary since 2009.
