First Book-Collier County celebrated the birthday of Theodor Geisel, lovingly known as Dr. Seuss, with a “Stay at Home and Read” fundraiser Saturday, March 2, 2013, in conjunction with the national literacy movement Real Across America.

FBCC will distribute 6,800 copies of Mr. Geisel’s The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, Fox in Socks and Oh, Can You Say?—among the most famous of the Dr. Seuss books — to pre-K Head Start classes as well as kindergarten, first- and second-grade students in Title 1 schools across Collier County.

Pre-K students at Fun Time Early Childhood Academy with their Dr. Seuss books from First Book-Collier County.

“First Book-Collier County has a single, powerful mission,” explains Nora Kolmer, co-chair of development and FBCC board member. “Our mission is to provide a steady stream of new books to children in need, which addresses one of the most important factors affecting literacy — access to books.”

Each year, FBCC gives books to thousands of children from low-income families to read, cherish and keep. More than 350,000 books have been distributed locally since FBCC was founded in 2005.

On March 2, FBCC offers the “stay at home” opportunity to adopt a Title 1 classroom. Instead of attending an event, FBCC urges Collier County citizens to read to the children in their lives and consider making a gift to FBCC to help less fortunate children in Collier County.

A donation of $500 provides books for an entire class for the school year. Sponsoring a classroom means that each child in the class will receive a book every month during the school year, October-May. All donations to FBCC are gratefully accepted on behalf of the children in the organization’s recipient groups. For as little as $25, one child’s literacy can be supported for a year.

Celebrating philanthropy

First Book-Collier County recently received the 2013 Harvey Kapnick Award from the Community Foundation of Collier County. The award was presented to FBCC’s chair and co-founder, Joanne Wyss, by Kathleen Kapnick at the foundation’s annual Celebration of Philanthropy luncheon.

“We established the Harvey Kapnick Award in 2004 to honor nonprofit organizations that have distinguished themselves through their program excellence,” explained Eileen Connolly-Keesler, president and CEO of the foundation.

First Book-Collier County is a leading chapter of the award-winning national nonprofit organization, First Book, FBCC has also been recognized by the District School Board of Collier County for its contributions to improving child literacy.

FLORIDA WEEKLY – February 28, 2013