What do 82
dedicated, skilled volunteers, 234 plastic tote bins and 700 boxes of books
have in common? All were vital factors in contributing to the Friends’ uber
successful book sale, held March 23-24 at the Nellie McClung Library.
Preliminary estimates in March were that $5,341 was raised in the most
successful non-Pearkes sale in three years. For those who like statistics: that’s
$624 an hour, or $10.40 a minute.
One young man,
volunteering for the first time, said, “I’ve decided that you have to support
the things you love; that’s why I’m here.” A retired primary school teacher,
who comes to each sale to collect books for 1000x5 said, “Kids who haven’t
been exposed to books before they get to school are under a big disadvantage
and it takes a real effort from teachers and support workers to help them
overcome it. This sale helps get those kids reading and saves problems down the
road.”
Despite competing
good weather, but perhaps because it was spring break, Victoria book lovers
showed up in droves. At the end of the sale, books were taken away for other
community groups: 1000x5 (who serve 2,500 preschoolers), Our Place, Wilkinson
Road Correctional Centre, neighborhood “little libraries,” and a local West
shore church, among others.
by Kathy Santini