Literacy Lambton is hoping for another record breaking year in its Give-A-Book campaign.
There were 4,650 new books gifted to children in the community, through 38 frontline partners, in 2024.
Executive Director Tracy Pound said the campaign shattered every record in their 30-year history.
"We know times are tough for many families," Pound said. "If you have the means to add one more gift to your Christmas list, consider purchasing a new book for a baby to teen in our community."
She said they hope to collect 4,700 new books this year and further spark the joy of reading for children.
"Every year [the need] varies," Pound said. "Sometimes it's baby board books, sometimes it's teen books. What we're finding right now, straight out of the gate with the campaign, is that we're looking for [books for] the age group of 10 to 13. So, we're talking graphic novels, chapter books. That's the area that we're really needing a lot of books at the moment."
Donations of new, unwrapped books can be dropped off until December 21 at Literacy Lambton (Lochiel Kiwanis Community Centre, 180 College Ave. N, Sarnia), Coles Bookstore in Lambton Mall and The Book Keeper in Northgate Plaza.
"There is a demand from a lot of our frontline partners to have the books fairly early, because they can be used for client Christmas parties or as part of holiday hampers," Pound said. "So, the earlier you get the books to us, the better."
The Book Keeper is offering a 20% off books purchased for a donation.
Monetary donations can also be made online at literacylambton.org under the donate tab.
"We'll give tax receipts for donations over $20 and what's great about online donations as well, is that we can fill needed age gaps," Pound said.
She said the campaign's success is owed to the generosity of private donors, local authors, various book clubs, church groups, service clubs, and local businesses including NOVA Chemicals and ARLANXEO.
Pound said this years campaign was supported early with a $2,500 Rotary of Sarnia-Bluewaterland community grant.
