The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) and Black Press second annual Reach-A-Reader literacy awareness and fundraising campaigns held throughout the region were a runaway success say organizers.
Volunteers throughout the Columbia Basin and Boundary region, from young hockey players to long-time literacy supporters, to Nelson Star and CBAL staff, worked together to raise funds for their local community literacy programs, trading newspapers for donations.
“Our volunteers were amazing, raising just over $1,800 in four hours,” said Joan Exley, Nelson community literacy co-ordinator. “We had folks from Rotary, the police, the RCMP, firefighters, city council and the mayor, the Nelson Star and the library. It was wonderful to hear our volunteers telling people about literacy programs they can access and then to have people put their names forward as volunteers.”
Star operations manager Karen Bennett said the day also provided an opportunity for the newspaper to truly connect with its readers.
“It’s an important day for us,” Bennett said. “Not only do we get to help out an organization that does tremendous work in our region, but we get to interact with others who are on a similar mission of literacy.
“We are looking forward to taking part in future years.”
Volunteers in other communities shared enthuisasm for the day.
“CBAL is such a great community resource,” said Katie Albright, Rossland’s new library director – a first-time volunteer. “As a librarian, I am very appreciative of how their programs for adults and children foster literacy in Rossland. Today’s fundraiser will enable their crucial programs to grow and flourish.”
CBAL delivers more than 230 programs to over 7,000 learners in the 77 communities. To learn more about CBAL and the programs in your community visit cbal.org.