Events
Countdown to Kindergarten
First R is pleased to be involved with Countdown to Kindergarten each year. Our friends, Pathways for Children, Gloucester Education Foundation and Gloucester public schools, collaborate to make going back to school fun. First R hands out books to each incoming kindergartener during this fun-filled event.
GLOUCESTER COUNTDOWN TO KINDERGARTEN:
When: Thursday, August 20, 2026, 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Where: City Hall, Sawyer Free Library, Cape Ann Museum (Please check in at City Hall).
ROCKPORT COUNTDOWN TO KINDERGARTEN:
When: Wednesday, August 19, 2026, 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Rockport Public Library, Rockport, MA 01966
Celebrating 25 Years
Celebrating 25 Years
On October 22, 2025, First R Foundation celebrated 25 years of bringing books to Cape Ann’s kindergarten and first-grade classrooms with a special reception honoring our volunteer readers and our founder, Patricia Earle, as she retired after 25 years of dedicated service to local children.
A heartfelt thank-you to the Markoff Foundation for generously sponsoring this wonderful event, held at The Gloucester House. During the celebration, First R presented the Frances Ferrante Service Award to longtime volunteer Jennifer Orlando for her many years of commitment to our mission. Debby Nelson and Patrick Thorpe kept the fun going at First R’s traditional raffle table—and a great time was had by all.
Our Sponsors
Connection is a core part of who we are. We are deeply grateful for our supporters’ commitment to our mission and to early childhood literacy in our community.