Three Million Books And Counting: KPMG Helps Close The Literacy Gap For Children In Low-Income Communities
KPMG Continues Literacy-building Efforts with Read to Succeed Initiative That Will Get 150,000 New Books into the Hands of Children in Need across America
NEW YORK, March 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Two-thirds of children in lower income communities lack access to books – the single biggest barrier to literacy – resulting in low reading proficiency, a key predictor of a child's future educational and economic success. To help bridge this gap, KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm, will put more than 150,000 new books into the hands of children in cities across the United States – including the donation of its three millionth book through KPMG's Family for Literacy (KFFL) program – as part of a "Read to Succeed" initiative being conducted in partnership with non-profit social enterprise First Book.
More than 100 KPMG offices throughout the United States will host book distribution events in the coming weeks at schools and community organizations during Read to Succeed, with many taking place on March 2 to coincide with the National Education Association's Read Across America Day.
KPMG partners and professionals along with spouses, family members, and alumni will volunteer at these events. Large-scale, pop-up book fairs will take place in Washington D.C., St. Louis, New Orleans/Baton Rouge, Detroit, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Charlotte, and Kansas City – with 10,000 new books to be distributed in each location. Other distribution events with 1,000 books also will take place.
For the first time, the firm also will host an online auction to raise funds for additional books to be donated. The auction will be open to the public during the last week of March and include travel packages, sporting event tickets and memorabilia, and more prizes up for bid.
"At KPMG, we're passionate about giving back to the communities where we live and work," said Lynne Doughtie, KPMG Chairman and CEO. "Our focus on lifelong learning supports literacy, the most powerful building block in developing tomorrow's leaders."
Snapshot of KPMG's commitment to eradicating childhood illiteracy:
- KFFL established in 2008.
- Millions of children reached.
- Over one million dollars raised by KPMG people to purchase new books for children in need.
- Thousands of volunteer hours donated by KPMG people and the extended KPMG family to support the cause.
"We have seen what a strong and positive impact we can have on the lives of children when we harness our collective efforts and resources," said KPMG Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer P. Scott Ozanus. "Our KPMG family remains committed to bridging the literacy gap in our country."
"Ninety percent of the educators who have experienced a First Book/KPMG program said these efforts contributed to their students' improved interest in reading," said Kyle Zimmer, First Book President and CEO. "We've been thrilled to work with KPMG over the last eight years to close the literacy gap for children in low-income communities."
To help get a new book into the hands of a child in need, donate here. Please check the KFFL Facebook page in mid-March for more details about the online auction.
About KPMG LLP
KPMG is one of the world's leading professional services firms, providing innovative business solutions and audit, tax, and advisory services to many of the world's largest and most prestigious organizations.
KPMG is the fastest-growing Big Four professional services firm in the United States and is widely recognized for being a great place to work and build a career. Our people share a sense of purpose in the work we do, and a strong commitment to community service, inclusion and diversity, and eradicating childhood illiteracy.
Learn more at www.kpmg.com/us.
KPMG LLP is the independent U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"). KPMG International's independent member firms have 189,000 professionals, including more than 9,000 partners, in 152 countries.
About First Book
First Book is a nonprofit social enterprise founded in 1992 that has distributed more than 160 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families throughout the United States and Canada, which, with more than 300,000 members, is the largest and fastest growing network of educators exclusively serving kids in need. By making new, high-quality books and educational resources available on an ongoing basis, First Book is transforming the lives of children in need and elevating the quality of education. Eligible educators, librarians, program leaders, and others serving children in need can sign up at firstbook.org/register. For more information, please visit firstbook.org or follow the latest news on Facebook and Twitter.
| Contact: |
Ichiro Kawasaki/Joy Belgiovine |
| KPMG LLP |
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| 201-307-8640/201-505-6392 |
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SOURCE KPMG LLP
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