In this age of increasing online learning, the need for elementary school pupils to learn and expand their horizons through reading conventional hard copy books still exists.
With that, Indigo’s Love of Reading Foundation is helping Sault Ste. Marie’s Parkland Public School replenish its library shelves.
Parkland is involved in the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation’s Adopt a School program, which began Sept. 14 and continues to Oct. 6.
A fundraiser, the program connects Coles Station Mall and Cambrian Mall locations with Parkland Public School.
One hundred and eighty-two elementary schools across Canada have been identified as in high need for new books and ‘adopted’ by Indigo, Chapters and Coles stores in their communities who will fundraise on their behalf.
Parkland has qualified for the program, the school described as having “an inadequate library budget of less than $30 per student for the entire year.”
Parkland supporters can help by making a donation in-store at Coles stores at Station Mall and Cambrian Mall or through the Adopt a School registry.
Each school’s unique registry consists of 50 books for customers to shop for during the campaign. When a book is purchased from a school’s registry, Indigo will double the impact of each customer’s donation by providing an additional copy of that book to the school.
Supporters may check out Parkland’s unique registry of desired books by clicking here
“The schools on their own have the ability to register for the program. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to be selected but there’s a series of criteria within the application process that Indigo looks at and says ‘this school would benefit from this program,’” said Maurice Dugas, Parkland Public School principal, speaking to SooToday.
“A parent here at the school, who has children here and works at another school, is the one who did the application for us. So, the parents themselves have expressed to me we need to revamp our library. We want to make sure we target all ages,” Dugas said, adding this is the second consecutive year Parkland has qualified for the program.
$2,700 worth of books was raised last year for the school, Dugas said.
“The selection of books (last year) was wonderful. The parent and I went through it together, and with her help as a teacher, we targeted all ages of students in the school to increase reading levels within the school and increase levels of interest in reading within the school.”
“We would ask the public to please consider, when they are purchasing books, that the sales reps will ask them if they want to make a donation, or donate that book, to the school. We encourage the community to please help support Parkland. That will go miles for this particular program. We appreciate any donations coming in,” Dugas said.
“I’m ecstatic (Parkland qualified for the Indigo program). We want the best for our kids.”
The Indigo Love of Reading Foundation’s Adopt a School program has run each year, beginning in 2004.
Since then, Indigo, its customers, employees, and the Love of Reading Foundation has raised $31 million for over 3,000 high needs elementary schools, helping more than 1 million children.