The Raise A Reader campaign has handed out the $38,554.25 it raised in a one-day campaign last September to support 29 local literacy projects.
"We knew organizations needed to get the funding they required without going through a massive grant-writing process when all they needed is a few hundred dollars," said Andrea Palmer, communications coordinator of the Prince George Public Library and one of the members of the Raise a Reader organizing committee. "One of the grantees only asked for $400, another asked for $500 and many others only asked for exactly what they needed, not the full amount of $2,500."
Those asking for smaller amounts might not even be eligible for bigger grants so we're super thrilled to be able to supply a greater number of literacy projects with the funding they need."
The Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Prince George branch, is a long-standing recipient of Raise a Reader funds.
"The CNIB supplies children with DAISY Readers, so that children who are visually impaired can access books and improve their literacy," said Palmer. "The Carney Hill Neighbourhood Centre got a great grant this year for enhancing their resources."
Giscome elementary has benefited from Raise a Reader funds as well.
"We've been able to support them with literature outreach and with the funding they're going to be able to provide their students with tablets so they can access digital resources," said Palmer. "So when they have these moments when they can be isolated in their community due to weather or inclement circumstances, they can have these materials downloaded straight from the library's website, accessing us remotely."
Once the tablets are purchased, the students are invited to the library for a comprehensive workshop with step-by-step instruction on how to best utilize their new learning aids.
"The students will learn how to access digital resources, how to load eBooks, how to set up their accounts and it's such an interesting, unique chance to reach out to the rural students from around Prince George," said Palmer. "This project really warms my heart."
