First Book, New Books and Disney

First Book needs our help. This year we received a donation of 3,000 books for our children ages 7 - 10. On Monday December 29 we will get a shippment of 5, 607 books, totally free, shipping has been underwritten by the Department of Education. Each of the children we serve ages newborn - 8 will recieve three new books. That's 1,700 pounds of books. Amazing. The post below is a request from First Book for folks to leave a comment about their favorite book memory, for each comment Disney will donate a book to children in need.. There are links below to the First Book Blog. Thanks!

A Call-to-Action: Post a Comment to Help Share the Magic of BEDTIME STORIES!
December 19th, 2008 by Diane N.

At First Book, we’re strong believers that every child deserves to know the magic of bedtime stories — and we know you are too.

Few movies celebrate that magic quite like Disney’s upcoming BEDTIME STORIES – an adventure comedy starring Adam Sandler as Skeeter Bronson, a hotel handyman whose life is changed forever when the bedtime stories he tells his niece and nephew start to mysteriously come true.

In celebration of the film’s December 25 release, Disney Publishing Worldwide will donate up to 250,000 brand new books to First Book.

Will you do your part and share YOUR story?

Now through December 25, post a comment on First Book's Blog about a bedtime story or memory and, in your honor, Disney will donate one new book to a child in need – just for commenting!

It’s free, takes just a minute and will help make bedtime brighter for kids in need.

Thanks for your help — and don’t forget to buy a ticket on Fandango to see BEDTIME STORIES, opening in theaters December 25!

Toy Distribution 2008

December 1 marked the first day of the BRO Toy Distribution. Where did this snow come from? Snow may slow down the individual clients who are scheduled for pick up. But first on our list is the Gateway Wheeler State School for Severly the Severly Disabled. We gave out toys to 87 children with special needs. This year we tried to meet the requests from the wish list submitted by the teachers and staff at the school. We also provided toys for 125 children at Davis Comprehensive Health Care and toys for 100 at St. Louis Transitional Hope House.

Tuesday we were prepared to provided toys for over 360 children at the following agencies HDC Northeast, Intercommunity Housing, St. Louis Empowerment Center and the Southside Day Nursery.

Wednesday we geared up for about 300 children served by HDC Wellston, HDC Northeast, HDC Ssouthside Gateway Center and Grace Hill Neighborhood services.

Thursday brought in another batch of volunteers and 300 children served by HDC Northside Gateway, HDC Northeast, HDC Family Support Program and Youth and Family Center.

Finally Friday came, another round of volunteers and 250 plus clients from Little Angel Learning Center, St. Philippines House, Family Care of Carondelet and Barnes Hospital. Whew!

Retired teachers from the Northwest R-1 School District in House Springs, Missouri staffed Monday and Friday. It was a new experience for this retired group of friends. We hope they'll join us again next year.

One of our volunteers makes new "formals" for the "reconditioned" Barbies. Each child receives new and reconditioned ( gently used) toys, books, a game or puzzle and other goodies.

Volunteer wood workers make these very classy tool boxes for our little guys.

Soccer Balls and Wiffle ball/bats are an old standby.

Tons of new and gently used stuffed animals.

Three Donna's, all in one place on the same day. It was easy to remember names.

Our First Book Donation ( remember the post about the 3000 books,) packaged for the 7 - 10 year old boys and girls.

Aleeza Granote, (far right) Barnes Hospital, picks up bags of goodies for some of her clients.

Prior to our week long toy distribution we packed and stored toys at a community church for the following agencies.

Neighborhood Houses 900

Family Court 250

Community Helping Ministries 145

West Presbyterian Church 100

Urban League 110

We will also be providing 50 -75 toys for the Youth and Family Center's Winterwonderland Festival.

5608 Free Books on the way!

More books on the way! Everyday is Christmas at the BRO, we've been giving out toys all week, I'll post more about that later. But we are already gearing up for 2009. I received this email today from our friends at FIRST BOOK

Dear BOARD OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS:

On behalf of the staff of First Book and the U.S. Department of Education, I am excited to inform you that you will be receiving approximately 5608 books (in 73 boxes) from our “DOE Back to School Initiative”!

Due to the generous support of the U.S. Department of Education, these books will be shipped to you for FREE! You will never receive any invoice for the shipment of these books.

Your books will be shipped from Jessup, Maryland. They may arrive at any time during December.

Amazing,.....were not sure exactly which books we will receive but they will be from among the following that were offered in the give away.

Bob Paints the Town (HC)

Pixar Book Bag

Dora: Friendly Flowers

Playfully Pooh

Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf

Thomas & Friends: Going Places

Junie B., First Grader: One-Man Band (PB)

Dora: Friends Around the World

Backyard Adventures

Nick Jr. Book Bag

Sleeping Beauty

Dora: Friends to Find

Weather Watcher

Treasure Hunters

Can't wait for the delivery!