First Book Congratulates Pi Beta Phi on 100 Years of Helping Kids Become Readers

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Jul 07, 2011, 12:02 ET

First Book Donates 100,000 New Books to Children in Need in Honor of Milestone

ORLANDO, Fla., July 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tens of thousands of brand-new books are on their way to children from low-income families across Florida and the rest of the nation this week, thanks to First Book and Pi Beta Phi.

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First Book distributed the books – 25,000 to programs serving children in Florida, and 75,000 more to programs serving children across the country – in honor of Pi Beta Phi's 68th Biennial Convention, including the 100-year anniversary of the organization's commitment to literacy.

Pi Beta Phi® celebrated the book donation at its convention, held at the Hilton® in the Walt Disney World® Resort on Monday, June 27, by having members decorate bookplates and place them into 3,000 brand-new books for the children of Feeding America Tampa Bay, one of the Florida groups.

"Together, Pi Beta Phi and First Book will be feeding the hungry minds of children in need with a healthy supply of new books," said Mary Tatum, Pi Beta Phi's Grand President. "We were elated First Book helped our Fraternity celebrate 100 years of literacy service."

In addition, Pi Beta Phi also awarded First Book President and CEO Kyle Zimmer a check for the remaining balance of their four-year, $1 million partnership and announced it had fulfilled its commitment a year and a half early.

"When it comes to getting books to kids that need them, First Book couldn't ask for a better partner than Pi Beta Phi," said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO. "Not only for their support over the years, but for their generous donation of 100,000 books to children in Florida and around the country. We love working with the members of Pi Beta Phi, and we're excited about doing even more together in the future."

About First Book

First Book has distributed more than 80 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families throughout the United States and Canada. By making new, high-quality books available on an ongoing basis, First Book is transforming the lives of children in need and the elevating the quality of education. For more information, please visit us online or follow our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

About Pi Beta Phi

Founded at Monmouth College in Illinois in 1867, Pi Beta Phi has 134 chapters and nearly 330 alumnae organizations in the United States and Canada. The Fraternity's partnership with First Book, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to giving children from low-income homes the opportunity to read and own books, solidifies Pi Beta Phi's commitment to literacy. The Fraternity promotes friendship, develops women of intellect and integrity, cultivates leadership potential and enriches the lives of members and their communities. For more information, visit www.pibetaphi.org.

Brian Minter
[email protected]
202-639-0115

Eily Cummings
[email protected]
636-256–0680

SOURCE First Book