On behalf of my 2013 Link to Literacy Children’s Book Drive, I would like to thank everyone in the Windsor/Essex County community who generously donated books this year. This literacy initiative continues to grow in awareness. With your donations, 6,134 children’s books were collected and distributed to children in schools across Windsor and Essex County for them to take home to keep. Many of the books were brand new ones, generously donated by several major Canadian publishing companies.
It is a sad reality that many children in our area do not have access to reading materials at home for a variety of reasons. Many studies have proven that access to reading materials and reading aloud to children will increase their literacy levels and enable them to develop strong reading and language skills. I began this book drive in 2008 to address the issue of accessibility to books for children in need. To date, this book drive has provided over 22,000 books to children who might otherwise not have a book to call their own. Owning a book will be a tremendous motivator for these children to become lifelong readers and achieve success. The donations you have made to this annual literacy initiative are essentially an investment in our future.
Reading is a necessary and vital life skill. Yet, it is also equally important to foster a love of books. In order for this to happen, children must be given the tools. I would appreciate it if you would keep my book drive in mind whenever you decide to weed out your children’s gently used books. It is a great opportunity to recycle books while sharing the joy of reading. Contact me at 519-978-1517 regarding donations. You may also follow Link to Literacy Children’s Book Drive on Facebook and Twitter.
Tamye Machina, Organizer, Link to Literacy Children’s Book Drive, LaSalle
