First Book Discovers Unique Idea as Mom Travels Across America in an RV to Give Books with Her Kids
CEO-Mom Leaves Her High Heels at Home to Partner with National Nonprofit, First Book, on Cross-Country Trip to Give New Books to Kids in Need Across America
Raleigh, NC, November 27, 2013 --(PR.com)-- First Book, a national nonprofit dedicated to bring new books to children in need across the United States, recently partnered with Brenda Berg, founder of Scandinavian Child and mother of two, for a series of book donations in six states. Berg and her children spent more than seven months this year traveling to all 48 contiguous states and two Canadian provinces in an RV, plus Alaska by boat. By the end of the trip, Berg and her family had raised more than $25,000 for First Book to fund more than 11,000 books for kids who often have no age-appropriate books in their homes.
Inspired by First Book’s belief in the power of children’s books to change the world, Berg and her children hosted reading parties and First Book distribution events in Tennessee, Louisiana, California, Washington, Montana and Nebraska as part of their journey. In seven-and-a-half months, the Bergs traveled 35,000 miles by RV, car and ship, made more than 200 stops, including 63 national parks, five presidential libraries, 13 factories and businesses, and touched countless lives along the way. Berg documented her trip on the First Book blog, which can be found at http://blog.firstbook.org/2013/10/22/across-america-rv-first-book/
In Berg’s First Book blog, she touches on the importance of First Book’s community involvement and the role that books and high-quality education play in a child’s life and development. She seeks to inspire others to give back by sharing her story and encourages people to find ways to help others when they travel in addition to visiting traditional tourist spots. Berg notes that there are isolated and under-supported communities all over America that benefit from organizations like First Book. If travelers can get involved in charitable activities, even more of these isolated communities can be reached.
During Berg’s journey, affectionately named “The Gump Trip,” she and her family traveled cross-country in an RV nicknamed “Forrest.” The trip imparted an invaluable lesson to Berg and her family, who learned the importance of giving back to others and seeking to make a difference in their lives. First Book does just that through all of their efforts to educate and instill a lifelong love of learning in our country’s youth.
Quotes:
“First Book is an absolutely amazing organization that makes a tangible difference in the lives of children throughout the United States and Canada, and I have been truly blessed to have such an amazing experience traveling with my family while helping children and sharing the First Book message,” said Berg. “Through my First Book blog, I hope to show others that they can be change agents in their communities and around the country through simple acts of service. First Book has helped change the lives of countless children through its efforts to distribute new, high-quality books, and I look forward to continue using my experience to positively influence others.”
Details:
Further information about Berg’s trip, as well as her First Book experience, can be found in the Philips Exeter Academy alumni bulletin at http://www.exeter.edu/exeter_bulletin/12984_15982.aspx.
New Media Content:
GumpTrip on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/GumpTrip
First Book on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FirstBook
First Book on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/firstbook
First Book on Tumblr:
http://firstbook.tumblr.com/
About Brenda Berg:
In 2001, pregnant with her first child, Brenda Berg searched for the perfect high chair. On a trip to Sweden she discovered the Svan™ high chair, and her discovery fueled her desire to bring that high chair and the best quality children’s products to other families. Six months later she left her position as a management consultant and founded Scandinavian Child. More than a decade later, the company now sells products internationally and continues to find and design products that are safe, easy to use, environmentally responsible and beautifully designed. After 10 years of growing Scandinavian Child, Brenda undertook a road trip around the United States and Canada with her two children, exploring North America and partnering with First Book to bring at least 6,000 books to children in need all across the country. For more about her journey, visit http://www.GumpTrip.com.
About First Book:
First Book is a nonprofit social enterprise that has distributed more than 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 their education. For more information, visit http://www.firstbook.org.
Inspired by First Book’s belief in the power of children’s books to change the world, Berg and her children hosted reading parties and First Book distribution events in Tennessee, Louisiana, California, Washington, Montana and Nebraska as part of their journey. In seven-and-a-half months, the Bergs traveled 35,000 miles by RV, car and ship, made more than 200 stops, including 63 national parks, five presidential libraries, 13 factories and businesses, and touched countless lives along the way. Berg documented her trip on the First Book blog, which can be found at http://blog.firstbook.org/2013/10/22/across-america-rv-first-book/
In Berg’s First Book blog, she touches on the importance of First Book’s community involvement and the role that books and high-quality education play in a child’s life and development. She seeks to inspire others to give back by sharing her story and encourages people to find ways to help others when they travel in addition to visiting traditional tourist spots. Berg notes that there are isolated and under-supported communities all over America that benefit from organizations like First Book. If travelers can get involved in charitable activities, even more of these isolated communities can be reached.
During Berg’s journey, affectionately named “The Gump Trip,” she and her family traveled cross-country in an RV nicknamed “Forrest.” The trip imparted an invaluable lesson to Berg and her family, who learned the importance of giving back to others and seeking to make a difference in their lives. First Book does just that through all of their efforts to educate and instill a lifelong love of learning in our country’s youth.
Quotes:
“First Book is an absolutely amazing organization that makes a tangible difference in the lives of children throughout the United States and Canada, and I have been truly blessed to have such an amazing experience traveling with my family while helping children and sharing the First Book message,” said Berg. “Through my First Book blog, I hope to show others that they can be change agents in their communities and around the country through simple acts of service. First Book has helped change the lives of countless children through its efforts to distribute new, high-quality books, and I look forward to continue using my experience to positively influence others.”
Details:
Further information about Berg’s trip, as well as her First Book experience, can be found in the Philips Exeter Academy alumni bulletin at http://www.exeter.edu/exeter_bulletin/12984_15982.aspx.
New Media Content:
GumpTrip on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/GumpTrip
First Book on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FirstBook
First Book on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/firstbook
First Book on Tumblr:
http://firstbook.tumblr.com/
About Brenda Berg:
In 2001, pregnant with her first child, Brenda Berg searched for the perfect high chair. On a trip to Sweden she discovered the Svan™ high chair, and her discovery fueled her desire to bring that high chair and the best quality children’s products to other families. Six months later she left her position as a management consultant and founded Scandinavian Child. More than a decade later, the company now sells products internationally and continues to find and design products that are safe, easy to use, environmentally responsible and beautifully designed. After 10 years of growing Scandinavian Child, Brenda undertook a road trip around the United States and Canada with her two children, exploring North America and partnering with First Book to bring at least 6,000 books to children in need all across the country. For more about her journey, visit http://www.GumpTrip.com.
About First Book:
First Book is a nonprofit social enterprise that has distributed more than 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 their education. For more information, visit http://www.firstbook.org.
Contact
Brenda Berg
Robert Buhler
919-233-6600
Robert Buhler
919-233-6600
Contact
Categories