Thanks to an adventuresome and philanthropic family, every one of the 385 children enrolled in the John Muir Elementary School will receive brand-new books on Tuesday afternoon. The remaining books will be given to children living in a low income housing development near the school, many whom speak English as a second language.

First Book, a national nonprofit that provides new, high-quality books to children from low-income families, has partnered with Brenda Berg, a CEO and mom traveling with her family across the country, to facilitate six such assemblies in cities along the way.

During the self-titled “Gump Trip,” the Bergs are learning about the history, geography and people of our great nation first-hand, and invite you to join the ride by following their blog at www.GumpTrip.com.

In addition to their own education, the family is excited to engage in a service project partnership with First Book to further its mission to ensure that all children, regardless of their economic circumstances, achieve more in school and in life by providing access to an ongoing supply of high-quality books and educational resources.

“First Book – Seattle is thrilled to help the Bergs give away books,” said Joy Brooke, co-chair of First Book-Seattle, one of First Book’s local volunteer chapters. “I am in awe of this family for integrating service into their travels and so pleased they chose to give books to a Title I school where there are many children learning to speak and read English as their second language. By placing more books in homes, children have the ability to practice the reading skills they are learning in school. It is exciting news for the children, the educators and this community. We are so grateful to help in this effort.”

First Book-Seattle gets free and low-cost books to kids who need them across King County. In 2013, less than two years since our chapter’s founding, we will be distributing our 10,000th book. Since our board consists solely of volunteers, there are no operating expenses or salaries. All money raised in King County goes right back into the purchase of books for local organizations and schools with a proven track record of successful work with children.

“We are so excited about the grant from First Book! So many of our students do not have books in their home – especially new ones! Providing high interest books to these kids will help ignite the love of reading. Many of our students like to practice their English by reading to younger siblings and this grant enables us to give them the means to do just that. I can’t wait to see the smiles on their faces,” rejoiced Amy Lanum, second-grade teacher at John Muir.

First Book-Seattle offers local donors and funding organizations the most efficient way to spend money providing literacy support to local children in King County. To get involved, please visit us online or follow our latest news on Facebook and Twitter. You can also join us at our 2nd Annual “What Was Your First Book?” All-Ages Storytime, which will be held on May 18 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Richard Hugo House. Limited tickets are available now for purchase at www.firstbook.org/seattle. Tickets are 100 percent tax deductible and each $25 ticket allow us to give 10 new books to a child in King County who needs them.

First Book has distributed 100 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 available on an ongoing basis, First Book is transforming the lives of children in need and elevating the quality of education.