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Savannah Stone exploring her books
I love that my daughter gets good age appropriate books even when we can't afford to buy them for her.
-Parent, Effingham County (2006 Parent Survey)
August 2008
Ankit had been bothering his mom for quite some time about wanting a specific book. She is a graduate student living on a shoe-string, so when she saw how much it would cost on Amazon.com, she told him she was sorry but it was too expensive. Three days later his Ferst Foundation book came in the mail – it was the exact title he had been asking for! He’s holding it in the picture.
To: Ferst Foundation
I would like to thank you so much for the wonderful books we received each month for our Grandson Caden. We signed Caden up for the free books through the internet when Caden was just turning one. Caden comes to our home every other weekend and he knows when he puts on his PJ’s it’s time for “Books”!
Caden’s favorite book is “Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney”, he just screams with joy when I ask him if he wants to read that one. I never get through story time without reading this book at least twice. Caden is my first Grandson and I have spent so much time bonding with him over these books, so I wanted to thank the foundation and all the sponsors for giving us this time together.
Sincerely,
Sandra and Caden Wood
Greensboro, Ga.
December 2008
"The Ferst Foundation will help your child read books at an early age. I received your books when I was little. Now I love to read chapter books. Thank you for helping me read." Lauren
Lauren 2002 Lauren 2008
Reading isn't just a pre-bedtime activity in the Dutcher household.
They read (and occasionally re-read) a few different books daily.
In this photo, Leslie reads a current favorite, Pip and Squeak, to her
son soon after they arrive home from work and school.
“You have inspired our entire family to make more frequent trips to the library! Thank you for all you are doing to further education and a love for reading in our children.” Connie Poole mother of Sarah and Justice Poole
9-10-09
“I just want to express my appreciation for the wonderful program you have. My boys love getting the books each month and the books are very nice. Keep up the great work!” Amber Rush Mathis 3-06-08
“We love the books she gets from you and she plays with her books more than any of her toys, thank you so much!” Delilah H. McGhee 2-05-08
I would like to inform you that we have moved. My children would be disappointed if they could not continue to receive books so I am providing our new address.
Also, I would like for my niece to begin receiving books. My sister is also expecting in February and I want that baby to receive books as well. I started reading to my kids in utero, then as newborns. Now that they are at the preschool age, they are actually reading to me. Thanks for that! There are a handful of people in my family that cannot read as adults, so you can understand why promoting literacy is important to me.
-Misty Chandler-Watts, Carroll County
Reading to my son will better prepare him for school. It gives me a special time w/ my child.
-Parent, Dade County (2006 Parent Survey)
I snapped this picture of my son Trevor when he sat down in the window to read his favorite book. He and his sister both love the books. Trevor's sister, Lily who will be 4 in May, waits every month for her new book. She has 'My Lucky Day' memorized already, that's the one she received last month. We have made it a routine to read each of their new books every night before they go to bed, if we vary from this, they both scream, "read, read, read" until we give in, no matter how late it is. I love this program and have told all my friends about it.
- Thank you so much, Alisa Bostic
The books we are receiving are great. I just wanted to say thanks. He [Kaleb] is not able to read yet. He will be 7 months old on Sunday. I can read to him now and hopefully one day he will be reading these same books to me. I am a single parent. I just wanted to let you know it is the little things that your organization is doing that really matters to the community. People always take the time to complain about the negative things, but not commend those good efforts. So I just wanted to share that with you this morning.
Thanks again and you have a blessed day.
-Melissa Lester and Kaleb Minor, Henry County
I would just like to take the time to thank you for the wonderful books that my son receives from you. We have thoroughly enjoyed reading them. He looks forward to receiving a book every month.
I think his favorite book is "Llama Llama Red Pajama". It is a wonderful book as they all are. At one point in time he actually slept with it or if he couldn't sleep with it he told it good night.
Thank you for such a wonderful program.
-Stacie Ragan, Calhoun County
My son, Owen, received his first book today. He was thrilled to get something JUST FOR HIM in the mail and has insisted we read it several times today. I can tell this is going to be a big hit with our children! We can't wait to ge the next one!
Great job!
- Shannon Starr
Dear Ferst Foundation,
We have been gratefully receiving books from your organization for the past 2 years for our oldest son. He looks forward to reading his new books every time the mailman delivers them. His favorite book is “Rooster Can’t Cock-A-Doodle-Doo” that he received a few months ago from Ferst. He has to read it several times a day and has already memorized it so if no one reads it to him enough, he will read it to himself. Of course, making the animal noises is his favorite part. A few weeks ago as I was preparing supper, I heard him start reading the book aloud in the family room. When I went to check on him, he was reading it to his baby brother. I had to get a picture and pass it along to you. Thank you for your wonderful program! We are already seeing the fruits of your labor in our children.
- Mia and Kevin Nichols
Dear Ferst Foundation Community Action Team,
I can't tell you how excited my husband and I are about Ferst Foundation being in Lamar County. Just knowing that so many children are receiving books monthly is wonderful. I wanted to share a personal story with you to show what a difference you are making in this community.
I signed up my two year old son, Will, the night the meeting was held at the library in March to introduce the Ferst Foundation to the community. I went home that evening and told him about it. He was very excited to hear that he would be getting something just for him in the mailbox. Several weeks later I checked the mail and there was our first book, "The Little Engine That Could." Jay, my husband, let Will get the book out himself. I wish you could have seen his face. He was yelling, "I got my book, I got my book!" We had to come right in and read it. For the next few weeks that was the book he wanted us to read to him every night at bedtime.
Then a few big weeks later, out next book came, "Big Sister, Little Sister". Will has a big sister, Maddie, and they both enjoyed this book. The most recent book we received was "Firefighters to the Rescue." Before I read the book to him I asked him some of the questions that were in the parent guide that comes with the book. "What do firefighters do?, What do the[y] wear?, Where do they sleep? He also colored the picture that came with it.
We feel so blessed to be in a community where this is offered. Will is so proud of the books he has received so far. At least once a week when we check the mail he asks, "Mommy, do I have a new book in there?" How awesome it is to know that this is happening all through Lamar County! Thanks to each of you for all that you have done and continue to do.
- Sincerely, Joni R. Tenney
Ferst Foundation would love to hear from you!
Please send your testimonials and photos to info@ferstfoundation.org.
