TESOL and First Book Team Up to Provide New Books to Philadelphia Kids

WASHINGTON, March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- First Book, the national nonprofit that provides new books to kids in need, is joining forces with TESOL International Association to provide more than 4,000 brand-new books to Philadelphia students from low-income families.

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During TESOL's upcoming convention in Philadelphia, March 28-31, attendees and exhibitors will donate the funds to provide new books to local kids in need. Every $2.50 donated pays for one brand-new book through First Book, and TESOL has pledged to raise at least $10,000.

"TESOL members know first-hand the devastating effects of illiteracy on the lives of students," said Rosa Aronson, PhD, CAE, Executive Director of TESOL. "TESOL's partnership with First Book provides attendees with a concrete way to make a difference for the children of the Philadelphia public schools. We are proud to be part of this important initiative."

The book donation marks the beginning of a partnership between the two organizations that will benefit students and teachers across the country. Any TESOL educator working with kids from low-income families will be able to get new books, free and at low-cost, from First Book for their programs.

"At First Book, our mission is to get hard-working educators the books and resources they need to do their jobs," said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book. "We're eager to connect with the thousands of eligible teachers in TESOL's membership and help them get new books for their kids."

The fund-raising drive is online, so anyone who wants to get involved can join First Book and TESOL in making a difference in the lives of Philadelphia's kids. Every $2.50 donation pays for one brand-new book.

About First Book
First Book has distributed more than 90 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 elevating the quality of education. For more information, please visit us online or follow our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.

About TESOL
Founded in 1966, TESOL International Association is a professional community of educators, researchers, administrators, and students committed to advancing excellence in English language teaching for speakers of other languages worldwide. With more than 12,000 members representing 156 countries, TESOL fosters the exchange of ideas, research, and peer-to-peer knowledge, and provides expertise, resources, and a powerful voice on issues affecting the profession. Through professional development programs, its international convention, special interest groups, and publications, TESOL engages tens of thousands of professionals to collaborate globally and create a world of opportunity for millions of people of all ages who want to learn English.

Contact
Brian Minter
[email protected]
202-639-0115

SOURCE First Book