Ask any educator what’s the best gift for a child and the answer would be near-unanimous — books.
Unfortunately for many families, books are an unaffordable luxury. But this year, many Shuswap children will be receiving age-appropriate reading material courtesy of a new program.
The Literacy Alliance of the Shuswap Society (LASS), the Shuswap Family Resource Centre, and Eagle Valley Community Resource Centre have partnered on a new family literacy initiative.
The “Books Under the Tree” program will see quality children’s books included in Christmas Gift Campaigns at the resource centres in Salmon Arm and Sicamous.
The books were purchased with funding provided by the Shuswap Community Foundation’s Wainwright-Mobley Memorial Endowment and Jennifer Phillips Memorial funds.
“The wonderful thing about this program is that is truly showcases what a connected and giving community we have,” comments Jennifer Findlay, Literacy outreach co-ordinator at LASS. “Three local non-profit groups are working together to promote the love of reading and access to quality books. The financial support from the Shuswap Community Foundation is greatly appreciated and a local business, Bookingham Palace, provided a generous discount on the books so LASS could purchase as many books as possible for kids in our community. This collaboration project is what our community is all about – working together, supporting others, and sharing the gift of reading.”
For more information on this program, contact Jennifer Findlay at 250-833-2095.