PENSACOLA, FL - 3,000 books, for more than 500 kids:

A way of encouraging them, to read.

That was the mission tonight for 'First Book Pensacola,' at Weis Elementary School.

With some help from Clifford The Big Red Dog... Pelican's mascot 'Scoop' and lots of other helpers... That's just what they did.

Each child got to pick six books, for free....

Books that many say, could change their lives forever.

Assia Harris/4th Grader
"I really like the books and I like the programs where they have like the books and they have the puppets out."

Jayven Lloyd/Student
"Playing Bingo and calling out answers and getting on Bingo cards."

Sheila Nichols/First Book Pensacola
"Anytime you are afforded the opportunity to read, you can achieve all of your goals. You can go anywhere in life when you read and it just allows you to accomplish your goals."

This is the tenth year 'First Books' has given kids the chance to read.

So far... The group has given out more than 300,000 books.First Book Dedication