The First R Foundation

10/07/2026

First R is gearing up for an incredible year of reading adventures with Cape Ann’s K-1 classrooms! 🍁📖 Our dedicated readers are thrilled to share these delightful stories this week:

📌 Kindergarten - Millie Fleur’s Pumpkin Problem by Christy Mandin. Oh no, Millie’s gourds grow out of control!
📌 First Grade – Weaver and the Web by Chris Baker. Creepy spiders aren’t so bad after all!

Follow us for updates and news. Let’s make this school year one for the books! 📚💫



Special thanks to Mayor Paul Lundberg, City of Gloucesterand State Senator Bruce Tarr, as well as our many dedicated readers: Nan Araneo, Barbara Maver, Patrick Thorpe, Britney Tarantino, Kevin Noyes, Shaina Bingle, Matt Wigton and Jennifer Orlando.

10/04/2026

🎉 Help us wish Howard Frisch a very happy birthday!
Howard has been a director and treasurer of First R Foundation since we began 25 years ago, and we’re so grateful for his many years of dedication, support and commitment to children’s literacy.
If you see Howard today, be sure to wish him a happy birthday! 🎂📚

09/19/2026

What a fun way to honor Dolly. We’ll be there!

Join us at The Cabot on 9/30 as we celebrate Dolly's legacy of giving. Bring a book to support Pathways for Children's book fairs, or make a gift to support our participation in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library!

Tickets: https://thecabot.org/event/steel-magnolias/

08/26/2026

She will be missed!

08/24/2026

Calling all future kindergarteners in Rockport! Join us for Rockport’s Countdown to Kindergarten this Tuesday night from 5:00 to 6:00 PM at the Rockport Public Library. First R Foundation will give each kindergartener a copy of Welcome to Kindergarten by Anne Rockwell. There will be backpacks and other great from the event’s wonderful sponsors! Don’t miss out on this fun celebration as we get ready for school! .

08/13/2026

Calling all future kindergarteners! Join us for Gloucester’s Countdown to Kindergarten next Thursday night from 5:00 to 6:30 PM at the Gloucester City Hall. There will be backpacks, t-shirts and other great from the event’s wonderful sponsors, for children and . Don’t miss out on this fun celebration as we get ready for school!
First R Foundation will give each kindergartener a copy of Welcome to Kindergarten by Anne Rockwell. .

07/30/2026

Fun activity taking place this Saturday. It was a hit with the kids last year, so Pathways is doing it again. And who can turn down free ice cream? Pass it on!! 🍦🚒🚚

THREE DAYS until Touch a Truck this Saturday, August 1st!

07/22/2026

Readers lead the way 📚

07/14/2026

The books we share with our children become part of their story. Reading together today can help shape a lifetime love of reading tomorrow.

07/10/2026

Sign up for Summer Reading for adults, kids, and teens! Great programs and free prizes for all.
Summer Reading 2026 – Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Library https://share.google/uwvUNPfcWiPQhs1hG