Jack Kemp Community School is appealing to the community for support as it takes part in the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation’s Adopt a School campaign.
The Lloydminster school has been adopted by Coles Northgate in Regina as part of the annual fundraising initiative, which runs until Oct. 4. Funds raised through the campaign will be used to purchase new books and literacy materials for the school’s library.
According to Lynnette Thoresen, library technician at Jack Kemp Community School, fundraising initiatives like Adopt a School play a vital role in helping school libraries keep their collections current and engaging for students.
“Library budgets have to stretch a long way, and the cost of keeping a collection current, relevant and appealing to students adds up quickly. Funds raised through Adopt a School help offset those costs and allow us to put brand-new books directly into students’ hands,” said Thoresen.
Key benefit – 100% stays with Jack Kemp
One of the key benefits of the campaign is that every dollar raised on behalf of Jack Kemp Community School stays with the school. In addition, books purchased through Indigo receive a 30 per cent discount, allowing donations to go even further.
Thoresen said ensuring access to books for every student is one of the library’s top priorities.
“Every child who walks into our library should have the opportunity to find a book that interests them, reflects who they are, introduces them to something new, or simply makes them excited to read without cost being a barrier.”
Students’ library wish list
Students are also helping shape the library’s future collection. School staff have been asking students what they would like to see on library shelves, with requests ranging from graphic novels and sports books to science titles, Indigenous stories, mysteries, fantasy books, animal-themed stories and new series.
“We’ve been asking students what they would love to see on our shelves, and their wish lists include everything from graphic novels, funny books and sports to science, Indigenous stories, mysteries, fantasy, animals and new series. It gives our students a voice in building a library that belongs to them,” said Thoresen.
The library technician noted every contribution helps create more opportunities for students to develop a love of reading.
“Every dollar raised means more books on our shelves and more opportunities for a child to find the book that makes them want to keep reading,” she said.
The Indigo Love of Reading Foundation’s Adopt a School campaign runs until Oct. 4. Donations can be made through the school’s fundraising page using this link.
Other LPSD schools involved
Winston Churchill School is also taking part in the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation’s Adopt a School campaign this year. Through a partnership with Coles at LloydMall, donations collected until Oct. 4 will go directly toward purchasing new books for the school’s library, with every dollar helping expand reading opportunities for students.
Also taking part is ES Laird Middle School via Coles Midtown Plaza.
Area schools
Cut Knife Community School is also part of the fundraiser with every dollar raised in-store at Coles Lawson Heights going to support the school’s library.
Another area school involved is Lashburn’s J.H. Moore Elementary School via Indigo Southland Mall.
