Red Deer Christmas Bureau is looking to bolster its literacy centre to provide books for children and adults next Christmas.
President Teresa Kutynec said Red Deer might have the only bureau in Alberta with a literacy centre and the charity will hold its first ever book drive this month to collect donations of gently used book.
Last Christmas over 2,400 books were distributed. A total of 793 children each received about three books. Single individuals who received food hampers also got a book.
She said the bureau is looking for all types of books for any age.
“Stuff we can’t use we take them to Nearly New book store and they give us credits so we can buy books, and when the library has its book sale we exchange books,” Kutynec said.
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People can drop off books between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Jan. 14 at the Christmas Bureau, located at Bay #2, 4630 61st St. in Riverside Light Industrial, two blocks north of Central Alberta Co-op Home Centre in Red Deer.
She said during the book drive people can also bring artifical Christmas trees and ornaments that they want to donate.
“We had about 80 donated last year. That was the first time ever we had that many. We never ran out of trees. All our clients were able to get trees.”
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During Christmas 2022, the bureau received 1,009 applications from families and singles and gave out more than 800 food hampers or gift cards.
Some of the toys collected last year are still on hand to give away next Christmas when families start applying at the bureau in early November.
“We’re pretty good to get started next Christmas unless we have a huge influx of people. Who knows what this year is going to bring?” said Kutynec who expects it to be another tough year for people.
For information more about the book drive call 403-347-2210 or email reddeerchristmasbureau@gmail.com
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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