Kids First Program Celebrates A Quarter Century, Seeks Former Coupon Book Salespeople
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
The Kids First coupon book program, celebrating 25 years of supporting educational programs in public schools, is actively seeking adults who sold the books as children to feature in the “25 Years of Putting Kids First” campaign.
Organizers said, "If you sold the coupon books as a child, the Kids First program wants to talk to you!" Contact Kris Humber at 209-5450 or
org" target="_blank">humber_k@hcde.org to tell your stories about selling the books. Kids First will feature everyone they find in a large kick-off event in September, and several will be chosen to become faces in the anniversary media campaign.
“There are thousands of people in the community who sold Kids First coupon books as elementary-school students,” said Ms. Humber. “We know there must be some great stories associated with those times. And in any case, we just want to make contact with as many former ‘salespeople’ as we can—especially if your kids will now be selling the books this year.”
The Kids First book features around 200 offers for discounts and free items from local restaurants, retailers, attractions, and service providers. Books are sold through elementary schools during the two-week period in September, then are available for purchase at First Tennessee financial centers through August. Of the $10 purchase price, schools earn $7 for every book sold, representing a much higher return than offered by any other fundraising program. The remaining 30 percent of revenue covers program expenses and funds other projects benefiting schools. Because the program is produced in-house by the nonprofit Fund For Excellence, as opposed to an out-of-town for-profit company, all of the proceeds stay in Chattanooga for the benefit of local schools.