Since 2012, A Good Book Drive inspires Vancouverites to donate a new copy of their favourite kids’ book during the month of November. The third annual drive, launching November 1, aims to collect 3,000 books to donate to this year’s recipient ONE TO ONE Literacy, a unique local children’s literacy program that supports struggling young students by encouraging a love of reading.
The City of Vancouver proclaimed November 2014 A Good Book Drive Month, honoring the annual book drive project that celebrates the stories we read, share and love.
Established by Cory Ashworth and Lizzy Karp, A Good Book Drive was inspired by the way adults talk about kids’ books. “When people tell me about childhood memories of reading, they share incredibly rich stories,” says Lizzy Karp, producer of local storytelling event Rain City Chronicles.” Our passion for storytelling is influenced by what we read as a kid, so we wanted to create an element in this book drive to celebrate those stories.” Adds Cory Ashworth, celebrated host and philanthropist, “We want an opportunity to reflect on the books and powerful stories that impacted our lives in big and small ways.”
Running through the month of November, A Good Book Drive asks Vancouverites to purchase a new copy of their favourite kids’ book and deliver it to set locations throughout the city including Collage Collage, Nelson the Seagull, Dilly Dally, The Juice Truck and many more. There, donors will be able to personalize their donation with a special bookplate, sharing their own story of why that book is special. By permanently placing those stories within the cover of the books, the students in the ONE TO ONE program will read the personal narratives and learn about the impact of that book on someone else’s life.
With much excitement about A Good Book Drive, 2014 also launches the first expansion of the Vancouver-based drive. The Brooklyn drive will be locally executed by Marco Garcia, with books donated going to Brooklyn Community Services. One of the oldest and largest nonprofit organizations in Brooklyn, Brooklyn Community Services provides comprehensive programs to help people in low-income communities overcome their obstacles and reach personal goals. Their programs include early childhood development, education and youth development, family counselling, skills training and employment, mental health and wellness, services for people with developmental disabilities and disaster recovery and relief. They serve over 13,000 people each year.
A Good Book Drive will be sharing images and stories of the books donated in Vancouver and Brooklyn throughout the month of November at agoodbookdrive.com.
To learn more and receive updates on A Good Book Drive, follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
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About One to One
The ONE TO ONE Literacy program began in 1989 as a collaboration between the Vancouver School Board and the Junior League of Greater Vancouver. We are now celebrating our 25th year and are proud of our 300 volunteer tutors who this year will provide reading support to over 850 children in 68 schools throughout Vancouver, Burnaby and the North Shore. More information at one-to-one.ca