In support of the 18th annual A Book For Every Child campaign, which runs until Dec. 19, The Book Store at Western is raising money and donating books to children in need.
Last year The Book Store raised more than $5,000 for the charity, and $2,000 has been raised so far this year.
Bookseller Lotte Huxley is leading the way in fundraising and collecting donations from the campus community. Though modest about her achievements for the program at The Book Store, Huxley is passionate about promoting literacy in youth.
“A Book For Every Child puts books in the hands of children who would never receive a book,” says Huxley, emphasizing the opportunity the program provides “every child should learn to read.”
Huxley, who grew up with dyslexia, had difficulty learning to read and understands the impact a book can have in a child’s life. Throughout the year, Huxley gathers donations of money and textbooks at The Book Store; at Christmas time, the money is counted and children’s books are selected for donation.
To support the 2009 campaign, The Book Store is offering 20 per cent off children’s books, which are left at the store and delivered to several agencies who work with families who are in need in London. The Book Store is also accepting monetary donations during the Holiday Sale Dec. 9-24.
Celebrity gift wrappers, including University President Amit Chakma; University Students’ Council President Emily Rowe; Vice-President (Resources & Operations) Gitta Kulczycki; Associate Vice-President, Housing & Ancillary Services Susan Grindrod; Director of Sports and Recreation Services Therese Quigley; and J.W., Western’s mascot, will be on hand to wrap gift purchases at noon during the Holiday Sale on Dec. 9. Campus-wide support for A Book for Every Child shows Western’s commitment to literacy and involvement in the community.
Delilah Cummings, Programming Co-ordinator at the London Public Library, says The Book Store has always been a major supporter of the program. The program strives to meet demands with high quality books, while engaging the community in understanding the importance of getting great books to children.
“Access to reading materials is a major part in becoming literate. There are thousands of kids in London who don’t own any books. It should be the right of children to have access to books,” says Cummings.
A Book for Every Child was established in 1992 to promote literacy and support children in the community. The program accepts donations year-round and ensures the books always go as gifts to individual children. Participating agencies include: Children’s Aid Society, Madame Vanier Children’s Services, Boys and Girls Club, Western Area Youth Services, Women’s Community House.
The writer is a third-year student in MIT doing a communications internship with Western Retail Services.