Borders Group teams up with First Book to place books in the hands of children in need

Borders Group teams up with First Book to place books in the hands of children in needNovember 22, 2005Arlene Melchiorreamelchio@syr.edu

First Book, an award-winning national nonprofit organization, and Borders Group have announced a new alliance to benefit children in need across the country. The first initiative of the partnership will be a holiday giving campaign that will enable Borders, Borders Express and Waldenbooks customers to make a point of sale donation toward the purchase of books for children from low-income families.

The Borders Group holiday promotion will take place in 1,000 stores around the country through Dec. 15. At checkout, customers will have the option of adding a donation to the amount of the purchase. Donations can be made in any amount of $1 or more, and unless otherwise requested by the customers, all funds will be given to First Book-Syracuse University for distribution to local nonprofit organizations in Syracuse and Onondaga County. In addition, customers may designate their donation to go to communities affected by the recent hurricanes. At the close of the campaign, the donation will be provided in the form of electronic gift cards to the community recipient groups.

First Book is a national nonprofit organization that has placed more than 35 million new books in the hands of children in need in hundreds of communities nationwide. Locally, the First Book-Syracuse University Campus Advisory Board (CAB), facilitated by the Mary Ann Shaw Center for Public and Community Service (CPCS), has distributed more than 21,000 books to local community based organizations and schools. “We are really excited about the national campaign with Borders, and, even more excited that the Syracuse community will have the opportunity of helping us distribute books by making a donation when shopping at Borders this holiday season,” says Pamela K. Heintz, CPCS director.

First Book-Syracuse University will host an informational table at the Carousel Mall Borders on Dec. 10, beginning at 2 p.m. Customers are encouraged to stop by and learn more about First Book.