170,000 books donated in City of Brotherly Love

"People want to read. You just have to give them the books," observes Heather Steinmiller, a First Book National Advisory Council member. Steinmiller is dedicated to making free books available to children living in low-income families.

First Book took a grand leap toward increased literacy in the Philadelphia region with the gift of 170,000 books, which was actually a donation from Disney Publishing Worldwide. "I am so pleased that First Book has made this incredibly generous gift to Philadelphia," says Mayor Michael Nutter. "These books will have a positive impact on young people for the rest of their lives."

Children receive the books through local organizations. Organizations must register with First Book, meet certain income eligibility requirements, and ensure the books received are given to children to own and take home. Steinmiller believes this is her organization's first book bank in the Philadelphia region. For more, see the article on Examiner.com or visit the First Book website.