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If you’re in Toronto, chances are good that we met you on Sunday at The Word On The Street Festival! After all, you couldn’t really get past us without stopping in.

Hundreds of folks learned more about how they can help spread the magic of reading, thanks to the energetic Pi Beta Phi volunteers who helped us staff the booth. We were overwhelmed from set up until pulling the last banner with interest about our programs across Canada.

Thanks to the visitors who stopped by and the help of police officers from 23 Division, hundreds of books will be distributed to children in the Jane Finch corridor – Toronto’s highest at risk neighbourhood.

With more than 200,000 at the Festival this year, we know we’ve made some friends.  Here are some highlights we’re beaming with Canadian pride about: the Toronto Blue Jays commented this was the best event ever and the busiest all summer, Canadian children’s author Susan Hughes signed copies of her first book Earth to Audrey and when we ran out, continued to sign posters. When we were just about out of steam, Wayne and I ran to Tim Horton’s for a coffee. A woman noticed our First Book t-shirts and screamed “First Book – I LOVE First Book!” Turns out she’s from Calgary which is where we’re headed later this week for a distribution and she’ll now be right alongside us sorting and handing out books.

Carol Anne Ruscica recently joined First Book/Le Premier Livre as Executive Director.  Before joining First Book, she spent more than a decade working in marketing and fundraising for organizations in social service, healthcare and education across Ontario.  An avid reader herself, Carol Anne is excited by the challenge of building the First Book National Book Bank and the First Book Marketplace for Canadian programs  to reach children who need access to books the most.

With the help of community partners, volunteers, Pi Beta Phi, and the continued financial support of TD Bank Financial Group, FB/LPL aims to distribute 100,000 books over the next year to children across Canada. FB/LPL offices will continue to be based in Toronto, where you can meet Carol Anne at The Word on the Street Festival on Sunday, September 27 at Queens Park. Look for the  Toronto Blue Jays – Jays on the Road community vehicle right next to our booth. The first 250 visitors to FB/LPL will receive copies of the Jays’ Freddy and the Blue Jays children’s book. And, stop by to learn how to register your program to receive books.