First Book and Points of Light Open Call for Nominations to Recognize Exceptional Literacy Volunteers
Daily Point of Light Award Will Recognize Volunteers During 2015 Read Across America Campaign
Washington, D.C.. January 14, 2015 /3BL Media/ – First Book and Points of Light today announced a call for nominations for an award aimed at celebrating the impact of volunteers advancing literacy in communities across the nation. Five exemplary volunteers will each receive a Daily Point of Light Award recognizing their success helping others learn to read and improving literacy outcomes in their communities. Awards will be presented during the week of March 2, 2015 in coordination with the National Education Association’s (NEA) annual Read Across America Day.
Research shows that in some of the country’s lowest-income neighborhoods there is only one book available for every 300 children, making support from volunteers at community libraries, afterschool programs and other venues all the more critical.
Around the country, individual volunteers and groups are engaged in literacy campaigns that are combatting those statistics. The Daily Point of Light Awards presented in March as part of the collaboration between Points of Light and First Book will recognize the success of dedicated volunteers committed to literacy in their community. The award, which was started 25 years ago by President George H.W. Bush, has been given to more than 5,300 volunteers in communities nationwide working on issues ranging from hunger to environmental protection. The nomination period runs through February 4.
Tracy Hoover, president of Points of Light, said, “This award will shine a light on literacy volunteers everywhere who make a difference in people’s lives, fueling their imagination through the power of books. We’re so pleased to be working with First Book, particularly given our ties to the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and to literacy efforts engaging volunteers across the nation.”
“Committed volunteers have the passion and the power to make real, meaningful change happen,” said Kyle Zimmer, president and CEO of First Book. “First Book serves over 155,000 schools and programs supporting children in need – many of which rely on volunteers to help their kids become strong readers. We’re thrilled to join Points of Light in elevating the work of these selfless individuals and thank all nominees for their service.”
Award nominations for literacy volunteers can be submitted online through Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at http://www.pointsoflight.org/programs/recognition/dpol/nomination. To be eligible, nominees must be U.S. citizens or residents, demonstrate unique approaches to meeting community needs and engage in their nonpaid volunteer service for at least six consecutive months. For complete details about award criteria, visit http://www.pointsoflight.org/programs/recognition/dpol.
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About Points of Light
Points of Light – the largest organization in the world dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages more than 4 million volunteers in 30 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it matters most. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.
About First Book
First Book is a nonprofit social enterprise that has distributed more than 125 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families throughout the United States and Canada. By making new, high-quality books and educational resources available on an ongoing basis, First Book is transforming the lives of children in need and elevating the quality of education. For more information, please visit us online or follow our latest news on Facebook and Twitter. If you serve children in need and are interested in these or other First Book resources, please sign up with First Book at www.firstbook.org/register.
