FACTS
About Readers for Life
Readers for Life aims to promote reading and literacy awareness through an annual campaign to donate books to local school libraries. Veronica Schami Editorial Services created this project in an effort to address literacy concerns while making a contribution to the community.
Goal
Our goal is to cultivate successful and motivated readers by providing quality books that contribute to print-rich libraries in local schools.
How the project works
We have developed a simple formula based on our sales volume. Each invoice sent to our clients represents one book. At the end of each year, the total number of invoices determines the quantity of books we donate. We have contacts at our local school boards, and, with their input, age-appropriate, high-quality books are distributed to the libraries where there is the most need.
FEELINGS
On inspiration
We had a desire to make a contribution to our community in a way that related to our work as editors. The project developed from staff discussions about volunteering as reading tutors in the neighbourhood schools. In the end, we felt that providing books to school libraries would have more impact.
On how the initiative relates to editing
We see it as expanding on what we do as editors, that is, making sure whatever we work on is as well written as possible, which in itself is a contribution to literacy.
On targeting children
The time to entice prospective readers is when they are young. Books for kids today are colourful and gloriously illustrated – their fascinating storylines excite and ignite the imagination. If we can get kids hooked on reading, then at least we will have been a guidepost on the path to lifelong learning.
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On corporate social responsibility
There comes a time when success in business requires you to look at where you’ve come from and consider how you can give back. We wanted to use our resources and focus on a critical social need. We feel that by increasing literacy skills and promoting literacy awareness, our initiative supports community development. We’re a small business, but we are hoping to make a big difference, and not just in terms of books. We’ve come up with a simple plan to achieve our goal, and it’s one that other businesses could adapt for their own purposes. Ultimately, we would like to see others follow our lead and start similar projects or perhaps commit to matching our annual donation.
GET INVOLVED
Chart our progress. Bookmark this page and check in frequently to see how many books will be donated.
Use our services. Simply stated, every time we invoice a client a book is added to the total.
Let your friends and associates know. E‑mail a link to this Web page to help spread the word about Readers for Life.
Volunteer. From reading tutors and office helpers to members of fundraising committees or the Board of Directors, literacy organizations depend on volunteers to make their programs successful.
Donate to a literacy organization. If you can’t find time to volunteer, you can always help out with financial support.
Use the Internet. Visit the Movement for Canadian Literacy’s website for some great suggestions for what you can do to help promote literacy.
Bring Readers for Life to your own community. Contact us for advice on how you can start a Readers for Life project where you live.
Together we can make a difference.
LINKS
For more information on literacy, please visit the following sites:
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