"Dear First Day..." Columbia, Mo - 2026

This inaugural Dear First Day event brought our community together to recognize one of the most meaningful moments in a child's year: the first day of school.

Hosted at Birdie's Deli in Columbia, Missouri, Dear First Day invited children, families, educators, artists, local businesses, and community members to pause before the school year began and reflect on the excitement, uncertainty, hope, and possibility that come with new beginnings.

Leading up to the event, our 'Community Voices' series on Facebook and instagram shared voices from around the community. Shedding light on their own first-day stories, encouragement, and reflections, reminding children that they are not alone in their feelings and that an entire community is cheering them on. 

During the event, attendees experienced heartfelt poems, letters, stories, and live performances celebrating courage, growth, and the power of taking that first step.

Also leading up to Dear First Day, the community also enjoyed our 'Book Giveaway and Collections', community connections, and opportunities to encourage the children and families preparing for the year ahead.

Dear First Day was created to remind us all that the first day of school doesn't belong only to the student walking through the classroom door. It belongs to the families who support them, the educators who welcome them, the businesses that invest in their future, and the neighbors who believe every child deserves to begin the year feeling seen, valued, and encouraged.

This inaugural gathering marked the beginning of what we hope will become an annual community tradition, inspiring communities to come together each year in support of the children who will one day shape them.