First Book

Dear friends and family, for my bar mitzvah project I will be running for First Book. I will be running a total of 156 miles from Jan.1 to Apr. 30 to raise money for First Book. The First Book charity is all about helping kids in low income areas to get out of poverty using education and books. They address the needs of the whole child supporting their education, basic needs, and wellness – all of which are essential to educational equity. A gift of $25 or more can help to immediately provide a child with a backpack filled with notebooks, crayons, and other school supplies; a gift of $100 or more can help an entire elementary school grade get a brand-new book; and a gift of $250 or more can help restock a school library decimated when schools shuttered over a year ago.

I have chosen this charity because I love to read. Reading allows me to travel to a land far away and have grand adventures all in my imagination. Reading teaches me so many interesting facts and tips, I even read one book that helped me in a tough time to feel comfortable in my own skin and be proud of who I am today. I am asking for you to help me in my goal to raise $1,800. You can help in me in several ways:

Sponsor me per mile (goal is 118 Miles);

Make a one-time donation; or

In-kind donation - drop off or send books to our house 11823 Dinwiddie DR. Rockville MD 20852

Thank you for helping me run for First Books!

Franklin Karton

PS - I will complete my running journey by participating in my first 10K: Pike's Peak in Rockville on April 23rd. Please let me know if you would like to join my team for this fun race.

Seyfarth Shaw is excited to partner with First Book for the second year to help bridge the education equity gap and honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In collaboration with First Book, Seyfarth Shaw, LLP employees will make an investment to serve children living in poverty. Books and resources impact everything from psychological well-being to academic performance, but kids in need don’t have that advantage. Access to adequate resources is one of the greatest contributors to educational inequality in the United States. Just the presence of books in the home improves educational outcomes.

Funds raised by Seyfarth employees will be distributed to First Book, making it possible for educators to purchase new, high-quality books from the Stories For All titles representing diverse characters, voices, and life circumstances. In the spirit of Dr. King’s dream, the books will encourage children to be more enthusiastic readers because the stories and themes will help them identify with the characters and see and celebrate their similarities and differences.