Following a difficult pandemic year, more than
150 high-needs schools across Canada will benefit from this grassroots
fundraiser as students return to the classroom.
TORONTO, Sept. 8, 2021 /CNW/ - The Indigo Love of Reading
Foundation is pleased to announce the 2021 launch of the Adopt a
School program, now in its 12th year supporting
children's literacy. From September 13 to
October 3, Indigo, Chapters and Coles stores will unite with
communities across Canada to
fundraise for 153 high-needs elementary school libraries, with 100
per cent of funds donated directly to the schools.
After a challenging 2020-2021 academic year, the Adopt a School
program is more important than ever to ensure that libraries across
the country are equipped to support students with learning. With
students returning to school this fall, it's vital for school
libraries to have adequate resources to inspire a love of reading
and life-long literacy skills. It is also important to ensure
schools have access to quality and diverse books that offer a
deeper understanding of their peers and communities as well as
connecting children with books that reflect their own cultures.
"This past year has been exceptionally difficult for students
and educators across the country. In schools where new books and
educational resources are already limited during the pandemic,
remote learning and school closures created even greater barriers
for student literacy," said Rose
Lipton, Executive Director of the Indigo Love of Reading
Foundation. "Many people don't realize that schools in
socio-economically disadvantaged communities across Canada have limited library budgets, leaving
vulnerable students with inadequate stacks filled with outdated and
tattered books. It's important that we invest in school libraries
across Canada where every child
has access to books and the opportunity to fall in love with
reading."
Indigo founded the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation in 2004 and
is dedicated to putting books in the hands of children in
high-needs elementary schools across Canada. The Adopt a School program connects
communities with both local and remote schools to fundraise in
support of providing quality library resources at participating
schools, aiming to add one book for every child to their often
ageing and outdated library collections. Remote communities often
have limited resources and do not typically have access to an
Indigo, Chapters or Coles store, for example, Canoe
Lake Miksiw School located in Canoe Narrows,
Saskatchewan is being adopted this year by Indigo Conestoga in
Waterloo, Ontario.
"It's important to have the right learning resources and a good
variety of books to foster a love of reading in students," said
Matthew Gray, Principal of West
Central Public School in Prince Albert,
Saskatchewan. The school previously participated in the
Adopt a School program. "Before the Indigo Adopt a School program,
we didn't have enough contemporary materials in our library for our
student body and couldn't afford an upgrade. To keep students
engaged and to keep books in their hands, libraries need to be
accessible, up-to-date and offer a variety of options for all
abilities and tastes. At our school, the goal is to grow our
students' writing and reading skills, and the Indigo Adopt a School
program allows us to get closer to that."
How to get involved:
Individuals across Canada are
invited to support a high-needs school in store or online and
impact the lives of children in high-needs communities by providing
much needed educational resources for these schools. At the end of
the program, 100% of funds raised through the online school
fundraising pages will also be donated to participating schools.
All participating schools receive the funds as e-gift cards to
support the rejuvenation of their library, and benefit from a 30
per cent discount off books at Indigo, Chapters and Coles stores
when using program donations.
- In-store support: During the three-week program
beginning September 13, each Indigo,
Chapters and Coles store will "adopt" a local high-needs elementary
school to fundraise on their behalf. Visit your local Indigo,
Chapters or Coles to donate at cash today.
- Donate Online: In addition to in-store support, all
participating schools will have online fundraising pages here to
amplify awareness and help raise funds. Visit the online Adopt a
School fundraising page to support school libraries across
Canada today.
For more information about how to get involved visit
indigoloveofreading.org
About the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation
Indigo Books & Music Inc.
founded the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation in 2004 to address
the underfunding of public elementary school libraries. To date,
the Foundation has committed over $33
million to more than 3,000 high-needs schools, impacting
over 1,000,000 children. The Foundation runs two signature programs
each year. During the 2020-2021 academic school year, the
Indigo Love of Reading Foundation Literacy Fund grants committed
$1 million to 30 high-needs
elementary schools that lack the resources to build and maintain
healthy school libraries. Additionally, each fall, the Foundation's
annual grassroots Adopt a School program unites the Foundation with
Indigo, its employees, its customers and their communities to raise
funds to support high-needs elementary schools across Canada and put even more books into the hands
of children who need them most. In November
2019, the Indigo Adopt a School program contributed over
$700 thousand to more than 180
schools across Canada, impacting
more than 100,000 children. To learn more about the Foundation,
visit indigoloveofreading.org
SOURCE Indigo Books & Music
Inc.