They came with boxes, bags and baskets full of books. Donors to the sa国际传媒鈥檚 annual book drive kept up a steady stream of traffic Saturday and Sunday. It was a clockwork operation in which scores of volunteers swarmed the thousands of vehicles (yes, we counted) that came to the drive-through book drop.
The drive has come a long way in 16 years, from the time when books were brought to the sa国际传媒 loading dock then piled in a small mountain in a vacant upstairs room, to the point where they now fill the Victoria Curling Club. It鈥檚 an impressive event because of the dedication of hundreds of volunteers, thousands of book lovers and those who believe passionately in our Raise-a-Reader program that supports youth and adult literacy endeavours.
It鈥檚 a repeat performance for many donors 鈥� the book-drive habit is hard to break 鈥� as well as for many of the books. It鈥檚 not uncommon for someone to donate the same titles they bought at the previous year鈥檚 sale; it鈥檚 recycling at its best.
Collecting the books is the first half of the equation. The other half comes during the book sale on May 10 and 11 at the curling club, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Everyone wins. Book lovers create shelf space by donating used volumes to a good cause, then get to restock those shelves with cheap replacements. Cash-strapped schools and literacy programs around Vancouver Island get to fuel up on the proceeds. It鈥檚 an opportunity for those passionate about reading to pass that love on to others.
