Literacy Program

This program was initiated in Vancouver to address an ongoing, pressing need for children’s books for community school libraries, especially in areas with a high poverty level and a large percentage of ESL students.

Starting in 2005, we asked our members attending the Christmas luncheon at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver to support our Literacy Program and bring a new book suitable for children in elementary schools. With an overwhelming response, we were able to distribute about 500 books to two schools. This request was implemented again in 2006 and 2007 with about 400 books donated each year, including ongoing promotions through the year. We are now donating to four schools, who are very grateful for our efforts and the generosity of our members.

In 2007 the Upper Island group collected 230 books, including colouring and activity books, from their members and distributed them to three inner city elementary schools and one daycare in Nanaimo. There is also an interest in having our members volunteer to read stories to younger children at school libraries.

The program’s goals for the next year are:
• To have the Literacy Program in all Power Pioneers branches by December 2008.
• To contact local schools to make application to the “Indigo love of reading foundation grants program.
• To publicize the Literacy Program in newsletters, minutes, and on our website so that all our members can support the program.
• To reach a goal of 5,000 children’s books donated to schools by 2010.

Our Lower Mainland branches have enthusiastically endorsed and supported this program in innovative ways, by accepting “near to new” books, and expanding the “donate a book” request to other events and activities. We now have “Wish Lists” from our schools and are going to be soliciting donations so we can purchase specific books using our Chapters.Indigo corporate account.

Support available for branch Literacy Program reps:
• We have a corporate account for the purchase of new books if required by the branch representative.
• Chapter.Indigo have an excellent disc on literacy, which we can send to each of our branches on request.

For more information and to become involved, contact Mary Horton at 604-431-8774, or Irene Bedard at 604-430-2537.

You can see the satisfaction and pleasure we have experienced when delivering books to our eager readers.