We’re nearing the end of the year, holiday stress is upon us, and there are thousands of things we should be doing.  Regardless, we want to remind you that especially in times like this, its important for us to BupGrade our People, no matter how small the effort.  We can’t even remember our first book, but we’re certain it was one of those chew-toys that nobody actually ever gets around to reading.  We wish we could say the same for most people.  Unfortunately, a lot of kids don’t get a strong literacy foundation at home, and even worse, most after-school programs for disadvantaged children don’t have age-appropriate books.  So where do you come in?  Here.  First Book is committed to giving children from low-income homes the opportunity to read their first new book, and has, in its 15-year plus life, distributed over 50 million books throughout the country.  $2.50 covers the price of a new book, and if you donate between now and the end of the year, publisher Random House will match your gift.  Still not convinced? Ponder this: in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio of books to children is 1 to 300.  We can’t even conceive of what the impact of such inaccessibility might be.  And we don’t think the kids should have to either.  Visit First Book to learn more, and to donate.