January 23, 2008

Get on Board: Things To Do

Be on the Lookout for Borders Results. The Borders holiday campaign has come to a close and we couldn’t be more excited or impressed with you, our Advisory Boards! In the coming weeks, you will receive additional communications regarding the total amount raised, value and instructions for redeeming the Borders gift cards, and the Holiday Success Story Challenge winners. Thank you once again for your support and extended efforts in making the campaign a success for the third year! Please let us know if you have any questions or need additional information.

Nominate Outstanding Young People in Your Community. First Book needs your help to find amazing kids doing extraordinary things to help make the world a better place. Build-A-Bear Workshop®, a long-time supporter and partner of First Book, is seeking out nominations for its Huggable Heroes program, from across the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and France, who go to great lengths to make life better for others. Nomination forms can be found on the Build-A-Bear Workshop website or at any Build-A-Bear Workshop store and will be accepted through February 8, 2008.

Food for Thought: Things to Know

First Book-Greater Richmond Golf Tournament Scores Big. In late October 2007, First Book-Greater Richmond, headed by SunTrust Mortgage colleagues Nancy Harmon and Carrie Hinton, held their second annual golf tournament. The event was a huge success with more than 30 teams participating. Numerous local businesses showed their support through sponsorship of the tournament and in-kind donations. Participants enjoyed great weather, full teams, good food and a day of golf for a great cause. Many golfers indicated how much fun it had been and that they would return next year. By the end of the day, the tournament yielded over $40,000 in donations for First Book-Greater Richmond to be turned into books for kids in need in the Richmond area. First Book wants to extend our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude for the remarkable efforts of First Book-Greater Richmond and all of the SunTrust Mortgage associates that serve on the Advisory Board.

Visit the First Book Marketplace to Shop New Black History Month Titles. This month the First Book Marketplace has added over 70 new titles including wonderful new titles for Black History Month in February. From Harriet Tubman to Rosa Parks to Malcolm X, children can learn about African Americans who made a profound difference in the history of our country. Additionally, books like Africa Dream and Journey to Jo'burg create vivid images of life in Africa while others offer compelling stories of African-American young people today. To see these and many more titles click here and place your order today.

Spotlight of the Month

Kathy Scahill, First Book-Greater Cincinnati. First Book highlights the amazing work of Kathy Scahill of First Book—Greater Cincinnati who is stepping down as Chair of the Board in 2008 after six years in a leadership position. Since the Board’s inception in 2001, they have raised more than $55,000 in donations and distributed over 28,000 catalog, Community Starter, Book Bank, and Border’s gift card books to children in the Cincinnati area. Kathy’s tremendous steadfast leadership, great organizational skills, and boundless energy allowed the Board to flourish and be a model Advisory Board over the years. Thank you, Kathy, for your invaluable contributions to First Book and the children in your community who are in greatest need. You are a treasure!