OLDS — The IODE has given the Holy Trinity Catholic School library 330 books valued at just over $3,400.
The books were presented to the library on May 18.
They came in from all over Alberta. Members brought them when they attended the IODE’s annual meeting held in Olds around the end of April.
“We initiated books to read at our annual meeting which was held in Olds here last month,” said Mary Lou Wilson, the education officer of the provincial chapter of the IODE.
“We asked members of our organization to bring books and to have them for school.”
Members were asked to obtain books for students from Kindergarten to Grade 8.
Wilson said a member of the IODE’s Baron Tweedsmuir chapter in Olds chose Holy Trinity School as the recipient because she had heard it needed more books.
Wilson said it felt “really good” to donate the books.
“As part of education we always want to be on top of what’s new for reading and the children will hopefully really benefit from what we’ve done here,” she said.
Holy Trinity Catholic School librarian Jaylyn Hewitt was grateful to receive the books.
“It’s overwhelming, the generosity of these ladies. It’s insane to receive all these books,” she said.
“I know the kids are going to love them. I know I love them, just going through all these books.
“It’s filling my heart with joy and happiness, knowing that these ladies want to give all these books to the kids.”
Grade 5 student Saoirse loves to read. She was one of the students on hand to receive the books.
Saoirse said it will give her the opportunity to do “more reading and different types of reading,” because she felt like she was running out of library books to read.
Holy Trinity Catholic School principal Valerie Norman-Organ expressed gratitude for the donation.
"Literacy is a continued focus at our school so to have the partnership and collaboration of the IODE is appreciated, not only by our staff but the community at large," she wrote in an email.
"The chance for students to have continued new choices of books to read only enhances the opportunity for students to welcome the love of reading and expand their knowledge.
"As an educator, I believe we are fortunate to be part of such a wonderful community that puts students learning at the forefront," she added.
