One of the exciting ways we are looking after each other on the Saanich Peninsula is the 1000×5 Children’s Book Recycling Program.
A few weeks ago, I attended Books for Breakfast. It’s an event run by the volunteers of the non-profit organization and the benefits of their work were on full display. Emily and I are only a few years past caring for babies and toddlers, but visiting the Sidney Elementary Strong Start centre brought me back to my diaper changing days. While I don’t miss the diaper-changing, hearing animated voices capture little children with songs and stories never gets old.
#BCBookDay
The importance of stories is also brought home at an annual event at the Legislature hosted by the Association of Book Publishers of British Columbia celebrating the book production industry. The latest literary offerings are on display in the Hall of Honour throughout the day reminding us of the importance of literacy. It’s the perfect time for us to celebrate the people who are responsible for capturing and telling stories. For the past two years I have spoke on behalf of the BC Green Caucus. As the son of an author, the creative process is familiar to me, and I’ve witnessed the conception and birth of several books. Getting kids interested in reading and inspiring them to continue reading through their adolescence is critical to nurturing creativity, imagination and curiosity. It encourages our youth to become thoughtful, critical and engaged people.
Books for babies and toddlers
The 1000×5 initiative is important because it focusses on collecting and redistributing lightly used books. They cover the whole Greater Victoria region and in approximately 9000 volunteer hours they have collected 350,000 books and distributed them to 1500 babies and toddlers.
If you are on the Saanich Peninsula you can drop off books to any school district #63 school. They collect books on behalf of 1000×5. If a local school is not accessible for you, contact 1000×5 by email and they can make arrangements to collect your books.
I am thankful that I was able to speak with Daphne Macnaughton, coordinator of the Saanich Peninsula book collection drive, and meet with some of the volunteers who make it possible for our young people to have access to stories. In the coming weeks, my family will be culling our baby and toddler books and donating them to the project. Also it is important to encourage writers and publishers to continue creating their work, and book sellers to remain local. So we will be stopping in at one of the excellent bookstores in Sidney to ensure we continue inspiring our kids with the gift of powerful storytelling.
This is such an amazing program. Daphne was kind enough to ensure that kids at Jeneece Place had loads of great books to read! Thanks to all the 1000×5 volunteers!
Thank you, Adam–for writing about your experience at our most recent “Books for Breakfast” event and helping to promote the PENINSULA “1000 X 5” Children’s book Recycling Project! The project volunteers and I were delighted you were able to see our work in action and look forward to the possibility that more books may be donated for families to enjoy. We are proud of our efforts to-date–since 2008, we have collected over 150 thousand books for redistribution to young children and families on the Peninsula! If community members want more information, they can contact me directly: dlmvictoria@shaw.ca
Thank you Daphne for everything you and your team of dedicated volunteers do for our children!