Team First Book Houston

Disney's "Magic of Storytelling"

Brandon DeHoyos, Director of Community Engagements at ABC13 Houston.

ABC13 Houston and Disney's "Magic of Storytelling" present "A Rally for Reading."

ABC13 Houston and Disney sponsors a children's literacy campaign every year, Disney's "Magic of Storytelling".

This project includes free Disney books to selected under-served areas. “Team First Book Houston” has partnered with ABC13 Houston since 2012, plus First Book in Washington D.C.

Rotary Clubs and volunteers partnered to distribute 10,000 Disney books in March 2021 to El Campo and Wharton school districts.

The 2021 book distribution was covered live on ABC13 Eyewitness News by reporter Pooja Lodhia on March 27, 2021, in El Campo and Wharton ISD.

It was a true celebration that included a marching band and drill team. In addition, clips from the distribution aired later Saturday and on Sunday's ABC13 newscasts.

The children were so excited to hear they were receiving Disney books. They started waking up their parents after 6 in the morning to make sure they got into the drive-through for the distribution parties. The effects of having and reading Disney books, and reading to others, has resulted in rising literacy levels.

ABC13 Houston's coverage of Disney's "Magic of Storytelling" included a virtual kickoff party for students and families in El Campo and Wharton. The event, emceed by Brandon, showcased the impact and importance of reading and education.

Brandon interviewed Jackson Dollinger from Disney Channel's show "Sydney to the Max," while ABC13 community engagement intern David Butler interviewed Scarlett Estevez, who plays the character Gwen from Disney Channel's show "Bunk'd. "Together, both stars helped surprised students the day before our big, drive-through book distribution parties.

Actors Anna Cathcart (Dizzy from the movie "Descendants" 2 and 3) and Trevor Tordjman (Bucky from the movie "ZOMBIES") also provided time to share virtual stories through the Disney's “Magic of Storytelling” website.

"Literacy for all students"© 2017-2021

Team First Book Houston, thanks Ward Booth, Leader of the professors and students who are film makers at the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication at The University of Houston who have won 7 REMI awards.

The students and staff worked with Sheila Armstrong to produce these award winning videos. We won a Bronze REMI award for this video. The video was made after Hurricane Harvey.

About Team First Book Houston

We have received so many questions about how we have developed the team, where do we go to find people with the same vision and determination to help our underserved and immigrants learn to speak and read in English. This is our 11th year. People do come and go depending on their needs. However, we are flexible because we are partners and we cherish the dreams that God has put into the heart of children and what they wanna become.

We work with DISNEY and Channel 13's Brandon DeHoyos and other rotary clubs and many other entities listed below. So, this is an answer to all your questions like a webcast. No schedule needed. You can review this at your available time.

One suggestion: Read everything below and then you can decide, what do you want. Also, at the end of this, you will see an opportunity to donate to Team First Book Houston. All of the funds collected will be used to purchase books and a few supplies, because we are all Volunteers.

Additional Information about Team First Book and our History.

Team First Book Houston is celebrating its 11th Year.

Our purpose for what you will read is to inspire you and

encourage you to help make your dreams come true.

We are volunteers under First Book.

Team First Book Houston also has worked with Channel 13 ABC and Disney Book distributions for 10 years. Brandon DeHoyos is the person above, that led our "Rally for Reading" and the "Magic of Storytelling".

This is the information on Team First Book Houston:

There were 4 of us who came together in early 2012. We came together because off the horrific problem of thousands of students in and around Houston, not being able to read from the first grade through the 5th grades. What you will read are the 5 w's" who, what, where, when, why and how to solve this incredible problem.

We researched the who, what, where, when and why and defined the problems, brainstormed on how to solve the problems, and how to recruit volunteers for the good of our students. We formed our Board of volunteers to address the challenges of raising funds for books for our under-served and immigrant students, Upon research we discovered the situation was mind blowing.

Thousands and thousands of students could not receive books to learn to read before our partnership.

The goal, and even for today, is for every student to read on a 3rd grade reading level when they are in the 3rd grade. You will read about how we researched, studied the results, designed creative plans, and invited

different entities to volunteer for book distributions and how, before the pandemic, many of our first-grade students were reading 2 and 3-grade levels above their present grade.

Rotary Clubs in and around Houston, usually have as one of their projects, "Literacy".

Being a member of a Rotary Club, I asked the members to raise funds for books in the Sharpstown area. Because the Sharpstown area had an old school and the Principal Dr. Gerado Leal was ready to work with us, it was a great beginning.

This is what we strive to do as Rotarian Members:

We ask ourselves the following:

The 4-Way test:

"Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?"

Neff Early Learning Center was our First Book Distribution event. The teachers told Ms. Herrerra the reading levels of each student. We contacted First Book, and researched the books available on the reading levels of each student.

Totaled the amount, including the S&P and asked the Sharpstown Rotary

for the funds. Immediately, they said "Yes". Our First Book distribution was thrilling for everyone.

And we reached out to Channel 13 in Houston because it gave us the news growing up and had wonderful reporters, plus it was Disney. We all loved Disney movies and books.

More Volunteers and Board Members included Mike Milton, retired Air Force, who owns his own company and others. The NFL, Super Bowl Ring winner, Charlie Davis; helped distribute books.

Members of the Rotary Club, including:

Co-Chair of Team First Book Houston, Jon King, retired Captain Firefighter for 37 years and close to 50 years as a Rotarian, helped distribute the books.

Special Thanks:

Kyle Zimmer

- In the beginning, she distributed food to those in need and she discovered that good books were hard to get in 1992.

- She is also an attorney and Co-founder of First Book in Washington D.C.

- Without Kyle Zimmer, there would not be

"Team First Book Houston” book distributions to thousands of students.

-She works with partnerships and publishers, authors, and Rotary Clubs all over the United States of America and Canada to obtain, sort, and distribute books and supplies.

-Bilingual books have recently become available.

Our Partners:

First Book In Washington DC under which “Team First Book Houston” volunteers. It was co-founded by Kyle Zimmer and more than 200 million books and supplies have been distributed since 1992.

One of our dedicated partners is Brandon DeHoyos who works with Disney, their parent company. Disney has provided thousands of books to "Team First Book Houston" for Neff Early Learning Center and other schools. Our pilot program was started with Neff Early Learning Center in Sharpstown in 2012. Halley Mays, is the new Principal of Neff Early Learning Center.

What you will read below is because so many people asked how to start a Board and be successful.

The first thing to do is you have to have a dream in your heart like Walt Disney had. And like one of Disney's teenage actors replied to this question;" Don't let anyone take your dream out of you!!! Work hard and lastly, surround yourself with “good people".

The same was what Walt Disney would say. One thing about Walt Disney. he had so much patience, In fact. he worked with an author for 20 years asking for her story to be turned into a movie!!! It was turned into the movie, “Mary Poppins.”

You will read how we went about working with Disney and Channel 13 abc plus Rotary clubs with so many Rotarians, and many volunteers. Jack Valenti School of Communication has made 7 award winning videos. The awards were received from the World/Fest international Film Competition.

There are others mentioned later.

We work with students from 3 years of age up through the 5th grade students.

Meet the Leaders!

Jon King, is Co-Chair of Team First Book Houston. He is sitting with a young student, who was writing and illustrating a book on dinosaurs. Every word was spelled correctly, and every drawing was perfect!!!

Jon King is a retired Sr. Captain Firefighter of 37 years at The Houston Fire Department.

-He taught 6 years of Fire and Safety Management courses at the College of Technology at the University of Houston.

-He has a Master's Degree in Occupational Education from the University of Houston.

-In December 2022, Jon will be celebrating his 50th year of being a Rotarian.

-He was also a past President of the Rotary Club of Sharpstown.

-Furthermore, he is extremely active with our literacy program with children around Harris County and in under-severed areas.

-He understands and encourages the young boys to read to others and teach others to read and to be a role model to the young boys.

"My Promise"

So many questions have been asked about how we are successful with our students.

These are the answer

Our students enjoy saying "My Promise"(originated by Sheila Armstrong) below. In fact, before the pandemic, even the 4 year olds were teaching their parents and grandparents to read and speak in English. And they were able to get better paying jobs because of their children teaching them. Our children of ages rejoice with the following:

It is called: "My promise" and the students, starting at 4 years of age, after they finish brushing their teeth, they look in the mirror put their right hand over their heart, and with a loud voice say:

"I am loved,”

I am smart,

I am important,

I read to others and,

I teach others to read.

I promise".

(“I am loved” was added by the Chief of Police in El Campo before the Disney Book Distribution.)

During this time period, Scott Rainy was the District Governor of Rotary 5890 2020-2021 63 clubs 3,000 members, spoke on the importance of reading in the early years of children's lives. In our first video: Disney "Magic of Storytelling"©2021. Scott is now with the "District Project to End Polio Chair".

So many District Governors have dedicated their lives to different Rotarty projects and for that we say thank you.

Sharpstown's Rotarian and former President, Jon King, and other member Rotarians spoke and distributed the books. Be sure to watch the "Eradicating Illiteracy" ©2022-23 Video address at end of website.. The new President of the Rotary Club of Sharpstown is Ken Marsh. The new Principal of Neff Early Learning Center is Principal Holley Mays.

The Rotary Club of Houston was founded in 1912. It is 112 years old, and the oldest Club in. Houston, Texas This is my Club and the Projects are interesting. Of course "Literacy" for our students in need and immigrants is of upmost importance. Reading is the foundation skill necessary for living.

This Rotary Clubs have donated funds that have changed lives and as the Principal of Neff Elementary said recently regarding their summer books distribution: "The books reignited the lives of our students to read again and become great readers."

Other partners are Firefighters from Fire Stations, Home Depot, Office Depot, located on West Gray in Houston, Astronauts, Bands, Cheerleading Squads and Coast Guard Members from the Port of Houston as volunteers. The Jack Valenti School of Communication U of H made more videos of book distributions.

About Sheila Armstrong

-Chair of Team First Book Houston since 2012.

-Rotary District 5890, Chair for Literacy 2020-2022.

-Designed and delivered the first remedial reading course in Houston.

-Principal of 2 Head Start Schools.

-After 7 years of being a Remedial Reading Teacher, she became an entrepreneur: and founder of the very first commercial Limousine service in Houston., Southwest limousine service.

-Costumers: All of the oil, gas, and chemical companies, two separate countries, and Members of the Royal Families visiting Houston. In addition, all celebrities except Frank Sinatra. Air France and Air Canada were also clients. Chauffeurs

-Were Police Officers, Firefighters, and Musicians from the Houston Symphony.

-After 6 years she founded the very first woman owned executive search firm in Houston and Austin Texas.

-Also designed and delivered seminars to Apple Computer and Applied Materials in Austin, Texas. Applied Materials saved $1 million dollars because of her seminars.

-As Chair of “Team First Book Houston” she partners with Brandon DeHoyos of ABC13 Houston, and Brandon is the Director of Community Engagement and DISNEY.

-Purpose is to obtain, sort, and distribute books to students starting at 4 years of age, on their own reading levels, so they can become leaders and teachers.

-Sheila is also a best-selling author published by Barnes and Noble for 16 years, until she took back her rights. The title of her book is "The Little Book of Etiquette, Tips on Socially Correct Dining”.

The Jack Valenti School of Communication of the University of Houston, students and Sheila make videos of different Book Distributions. These videos are entered into the “World/Fest International Film Competition and Festival.”

They have won 7 REMi AWARDS and the latest one was a Silver REMI AWARD. Disney used “Eradicating Illiteracy” film since 2015 © for their “Disney National Reading Campaign."

In April 2022, at the World/Fest International Film competition, won our 7th silver REMi AWARD titled "Team First Book Houston." It portrays another book distribution for our children.

"Eradicating Illiteracy 2015-2022-23"

We work with the students and faculty of the University of Houston's Jack J. Valenti School of Communication to create award-winning documentaries.

The purpose of our documentaries is to inspire viewers from all over the world to give of their talents and time plus donations to make "Literacy for All Students" happen now!

Our documentaries capture the excitement of students receiving their new books while highlighting the importance of community, partnership, volunteerism, and literacy.

We work with several other partners who are also determined to provide "Literacy for All Students" ©2017-2022, including the Rotary Clubs of Sharpstown, Houston and other Rotarians. Also, Home Depot, T. J. MAXX, Frost Bank, Kroger, Office Depot on West Gray in Houston,TX, GoDaddy, M Squared Climate Control (Michael Milton, Patrick Milton, Sr., and Marc Hall), and of course the Jack Valenti School of Communication at the University of Houston Students.

More Leaders to Thank!

We thank you for all of your help!

Thank you Hunter Todd, Founder and CEO of “The World/Fest International Film Competition”, 55th anniversary in 2022. Also his Team and Judges, plus all of the other filmmakers from different countries.

Before founding The World/Fest International Film, he made films for NASA.

And we appreciate our families for helping us through every challenge and the long hours we have volunteered. You are so incredible and inspire us by you following your dreams. We adore each of you.

Thank you To Rotary Club of Houston who presents "The Rotary Lombardi Award." For future information Go to: 'Rotary Lombardi Awards.org'.

Additional thanks to Deanne Daniels, our Leader of our Rotary Club of Houston because she keeps everything organized, happy and moving forward.

Dr. Ken Mattox is our New President of the Rotary Club of Houston. He brings with him his many different ideas. He has a great sense of humor and is dedicated to helping choose the Projects for this year.

As Rotarians, there are different Projects according to our talents. He knows that "Literacy" for our immigrants and under-served students

is important, His leadership is leading and encouraging us Members, in the oldest Rotary Club in Houston. Thank you Dr. Ken.

Past-president Rickard Meeks because you helped all of us to get through these challenging times. Others may have given up what, at times seemed impossible. You stayed the course. Thank you, so much.

Ms. M. Herrera, a fantastic 20-year leader at Neff Elementary School.

Gerardo Leal, Ed.D and Edward Pollard, Esq., Houston City Council Member District.

There is a special entity that has helped us for 10 long years. It is the Office Depot, located on West Gray in Houston, Texas. The staff has always helped us select certain items, supplies, office supplies, planners, banners, signs, office furniture, printers and other equipment.

Printing for everything has been so important for us during these challenging times when our Team First Book Houston had to let our help go.

Office Depot came to the rescue of so many small business, non-profits, medium size business, and individuals. Because of Office Depot in West Gray we are able to continue working

Acknowledgements to:

First Book Washington D.C. Co-Founder Kyle Zimmer, DISNEY Channel, ABC13 Houston, Director of Community Engagements; Brandon DeHoyos, District Governor of Rotary Club 5890; Scott Rainy 2020-2021, Rotary Club of Houston, Sharpstown, El Campo, Wharton, Rotary Volunteers, other Rotary Clubs, and Rotarians. Jack Valenti School of communications at the University of Houston, and Mikeska Catering in El Campo Texas.

Sonja Earthman Novo and Charles Novo, Thank you for all the support.

We give thanks to all our partners throughout the years. We will be celebrating our 11th anniversary of “Team First Book Houston”. Also, we have to thank everyone who has come together for the good of our children and their families. Thank you to all of our partners for your work and funding. We love you!

“My Promise” was formally known as “The Pledge” – and changed in 2020.