Business
FIRST BANK LAUNCHES BOOK CLUB TO BRING AUTHORS, BOOKS TO CHILDREN
SOUTHERN PINES, N.C., Aug. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As a part of its 2022 Project Launch initiative, First Bank announces the creation of the First Bank Book
About this update from First Bancorp
[{"type":"text","content":"SOUTHERN PINES, N.C., Aug. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As a part of its 2022 Project Launch initiative, First Bank announces the creation of the First Bank Book Club. Through the First Bank Book Club, public elementary and middle schools throughout North and South Carolina will receive visits from award-winning children's authors for a day of fun, discussion, and literacy. \nIn addition to time with the authors, students from the hosting grade level at each school will receive a copy of the book discussed, with additional copies to be donated to the school's library.\nFirst Bank CEO & President, Mike Mayer, said of the initiative, \"At First Bank, we believe Education benefits everyone. Concurrently, we believe reading is one of the best ways to get young students engaged in their education. That's why we are creating the First Bank Book Club to provide students in the communities we serve with the opportunity to become avid readers. We believe the more children read, the more they experience a world outside of their own, think more creatively and are more excited about learning.\"\nThe First Bank Book Club was built in partnership with the nonprofit Authors in Moore Schools (AIMS) of Southern Pines (NC). Authors in Moore Schools was established in 2015 with the mission to promote the love of reading by bringing students, parents, schools, communities, and authors together through great books. In the past 7 years, AIMS has hosted events with more than 100 authors in 40 schools and provided 19,000 free copies of those authors' books to students in Southeastern North Carolina. Authors include the best of the best in children's literature including Newbery, Caldecott and National Book Award Honor winners, Battle of the Books Authors and New York Times bestsellers. The donated books to the students and schools will be provided through The Country Bookshop, also of Southern Pines.\nAngie Tally, Program Director of AIMS and Children's Department Manager of The Country Bookshop said of the program and partnership, \"Community support has long been part of AIMS core with a number of local businesses, individuals, book clubs, and foundations providing funds for book purchases. Healthy communities know that Readers are Leaders, and we are thrilled to be partnering with First Bank Book Club in the Fall of 2022. AIMS and First Bank Book Club w...