July 2008 Newsletter

The Children’s Book Bank has been up and running since May 5, 2008 and we are pleased to report that the community has welcomed us with great support and enthusiasm. We are giving away between 150 and 250 books per day, which, at one book per person is A LOT of customers!! In addition to serving individual families, we have hosted a large number of groups from different community agencies, including the Yonge Street Mission, the Cabbagetown Youth Centre and students from many of the local public schools. With the close of the school year we are now offering literacy activities to children in local day camp programs and daycares and are offering a regular summer story hour. We are also providing a summer placement opportunity for five youth aged 17 to 21 through the Canada Serves organization.

We are able to achieve all this with the support and assistance of a wonderful team of over 30 volunteers, including a number of retired and active teachers and librarians, high school and university students and members of the Regent Park community.

Nearly every day we are touched by a special exchange or observation or a small act of kindness. A few of these include:

• The ten year old boy who exclaimed “I must be in heaven” when he was told that he could keep the book that he had selected
• The pre-teen girls who expressed the wish that they could live at the book bank
• The thrill on the face of the child who finds the special book that he or she has wanted
• The tearful parents who have expressed thanks for this gift to their community
• The five year old girl who delivered a basket of beautiful books that she had collected in lieu of birthday presents at her birthday party
• The grade seven boy who insisted on running a book drive at his school and collected almost 3000 books for the book bank

Thanks to all of you who have helped the Children’s Book Bank to open its doors and to share the joy of books and reading with these special children. If you have not had a chance, have a look at our beautiful website at www.childrensbookbank.com.

With many thanks,

The Children’s Book Bank Launch Team
(Jocelyn Barford, Kim Beatty, Willa Black, Joanne Browne, Jane Crist, Nancy Evans, Janet MacPhail, Kathy Martin, Janet Newlands, Diane Rhind, Nora Spence, Louise Sugar)