First Book campaign wins 50,000 books for Hawaii keiki

First Book, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., recently announced Hawaii had won the third annual "What Book Got You Hooked?" campaign. The program runs once a year and asks readers to share their memories of the first book that made reading fun and to vote for a state to receive 50,000 new children's books to be distributed to programs serving children in need. Statewide, Hawaii online voters cast more than 90,000 votes to win.

“On behalf of First Book-Oahu, we wanted to send out a warm thank you for everyone’s diligent support and hard work in making this happen,” said Cindy Morita, First Book-Oahu Chairperson.  “So many different agencies and individuals have supported this campaign that helped propel us from 45th place just several weeks before to the national winner of this contest.”

Morita asked all voters to share the organization’s warm and heartfelt thanks with friends, family and programs that helped win the books. “This truly was a Hawaii win and a clear demonstration of our unique Aloha Spirit,” she said.

The books will be distributed in Hawaii through the First Book National Book Bank. Eligible Hawaii groups registered with First Book will have exclusive access, Morita said.

First Book is a nonprofit organization that provides new books to children in need addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy - access to books. Since 1992, First Book has distributed over 60 million new books to programs nationwide.

“There are an estimated 300,000 programs serving disadvantaged children,” Morita said. “It is our goal to provide access to free and low-cost resources to these programs.  If you have not done so already and you represent an eligible group, you must register your program at http://www.firstbook.org/register. Online registration takes only minutes and will connect your school or program immediately with the First Book National Book Bank and the First Book Marketplace.”

First Book will contact registered organizations before distribution begins with further instructions about how to apply for the books. For further information about the distribution process, visit the Getting Started Section under the Book Bank category in the Help Center at http://www.firstbook.org/.

Although voting has concluded for the 2009 campaign, visitors to the "What Book Got You Hooked?" Web site can make a donation to provide brand-new books to children in need as well as share their favorite books and memories year round.