Last Friday in Livonia, Michigan, 63 very excited first graders went home with two brand new book each. Our partners, Tata Technologies and Tata Sons, North America brought First Book to Michigan to host a reading event at Garfield Elementary School in Livonia. More than 15 volunteers from Tata Technologies’ offices in Novi, MI, along with representatives from Tata Sons, participated in reading circles and activities with the students, and presented each first grader with two books to start their own library.
The reading event kicked off a book donation of 10,000 books to schools and programs serving children from low-income families throughout greater Detroit. The gift, made possible by Tata Technologies, will put brand new books in the hands of thousands of children in need. Garfield Elementary School will receive the first 740 of the 10,000 books. One of the two books each kindergarten, first and second grader received was an environmentally conscious story by Allison Inches, entitled I Can Save the Earth. The co-branded book by Tata and First Book taught students why it is important to be good to the earth.
Warren Harris, President/COO of Tata Technologies welcomed volunteers and students, sharing about the importance of reading. Later, all the volunteers made their way to pint-sized chairs or onto carpet squares for reading circles and activities with the students. Mrs. Sander’s class, a very active bunch, even led volunteers in songs and hand games after reading.
“Tata Technologies places great emphasis on giving back to the communities of which we are a part,” said Mr. Harris. “Our partnership with First Book highlights both Tata Technologies’ and Tata’s commitment to promoting literacy, and we are pleased and proud that it has allowed us to help support the schools of the metro Detroit area.”
“We are thrilled with Tata Technologies’ decision to further children’s literacy throughout greater Detroit, and to contribute to First Book’s greater mission of providing new books to children across the United States,” said Kyle Zimmer, President and CEO of First Book. “Together, Tata Technologies and the Tata group of companies are helping to provide the tools children need to realize and attain their dreams.”
I couldn’t wait to leave the gloomy remnants of DC winter and step off the plane in magical San Francisco to join our partners, Tata Sons and Taj Hotels for a First Book dinner and presentation at the stunning Taj Campton Place hotel. I expected a first class experience, but – is it possible? – the Taj Campton Place exceeded all first class experiences I’ve had at hotels around the world! The service was top notch, personal and unobtrusive. And the rooms! I don’t think I’ve had a better night’s sleep in many months. I’ve stayed in Taj Hotels in London, Boston and Mumbai, but San Francisco is my new favorite.
I also didn’t realize that the hotel was so well known for its cuisine. Taj Campton Place catering was at its best on Monday night as they hosted a special dinner welcoming Kyle Zimmer and friends of First Book. Our hosts from Tata Sons North America and Taj Campton Place were more than gracious in their words about First Book and I really enjoyed learning how deeply embedded ‘giving back’ is in the culture of the Tata Sons corporation.
The trip was topped with a reading party at local Marshall Elementary school the following day where volunteers from Taj Campton Place distributed books to an enthusiastic third grade class and split into small groups top read to each child individually, before giving them each two books to take home for keeps. The event kicked off a donation of 10,000 books from Taj Campton Place to children in need across California. Needless to say, there were a lot of happy third grade faces as we said good bye!
I left my heart in San Francisco with the kind Taj Campton Place staff, the happy 3rd graders, and the generous gifts of the Tata Group. Can’t wait to return!
First Book was treated to southern hospitality last week when we traveled to Milton, Florida, just outside of Pensacola, for a reading party at East Milton Elementary School. This wonderful event kicked off the distribution of 40,000 books to children in need nationwide thanks to First Book supporter, Tata, and their local business group, Tata Business Support Services (TBSS). Tata provided over 1,500 books to the students at East Milton, enough for each child in the school to take two books home and begin building their own home libraries!
Thirty students participated in one-on-one reading sessions with TBSS employees and local dignitaries. The children were mesmerized by the volunteers who read Green Eggs and Ham and My Little Sister Ate One Hare.
The reading party included inspirational speeches from the principal of East Milton, David Johnson, and Santa Rosa County Superintendent, Tim Wyrosdick. David Good, Chief Representative of the Tata group North America, and M.N. Rao, CEO of TBSS (who traveled from India to participate), also regaled the group with personal stories about the importance of reading.
The students’ enthusiasm was palpable, as they all promised to take the books home to share with their families. One student, Imani Lewis, wore a big smile as she hugged her two new books, and declared “I like to read. I read a lot to my little cousin.”
