Sandy Rundle, chair of the Summerside Rotary Book Sale, hopes this year’s sale will raise at least $21,000 to support literacy programs in Summerside, as well as expand into western P.E.I. Kristin Gardiner Journal PioneerArticle contentSUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — As it gears up for its 15th annual book sale, the Rotary Club of Summerside is once again asking people to donate their used books. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentEvery year, the Rotary Book Sale for Literacy collects and sells thousands of donated secondhand books. Funds from the sale will be used to support literacy programs in the city. Specifically, the money raised goes towards sending junior high students home at the end of the scholastic year with a new book for the summer. Article contentArticle contentArticle content“One of the pillars in Rotary is literacy,” said Sandy Rundle, a member of the Rotary Club and chair of the book sale. “So, we always like to be working on some sort of literacy project. That’s what keeps us active and wanting to do the book sale.” Article contentLiteracy is also personally important for Rundle. He also loves seeing people breathe new life into old books, paying them forward for new people to discover. Article contentRundle hopes that profits from this year’s sale will allow them to expand the program west. Article content“Last year was our biggest year ever; we raised just a little over $20,000. This year, we’re hoping to raise $21,000,” said Rundle. “We want to grow the program and start partnering with some of the middle schools in the western part of the Island to do this program up there.” Article contentAnna MacDonald has been the book sale’s volunteer co-ordinator for more than a decade. Despite not being involved with the Rotary Club, she wanted to be part of the sale as someone with a passion for books. Article contentArticle content“I’m totally convinced that reading, for all ages, is the most valuable thing,” said MacDonald. “To be able to reach outside of themselves, to be able to further themselves, or enjoy things. You can learn so much just by reading. You don’t have to travel a thousand miles.” Article contentOrganizing the drive and sale is a challenge, MacDonald said, but it’s a rewarding one. Article content“It’s one of the biggest sales on the Island,” she said. “People gather books up for the winter and bring back books next year ‘round. It’s an excellent way for people to recycle books. Once you’ve read it, let’s move it on for someone else to read.” Article contentFor the drive, the club is looking for novels of any kind, as well as, new this year, puzzles and board games. Article contentWhat’s not accepted are Reader’s Digests, textbooks, magazines or encyclopedias. Article contentThe book drive and sale will be held at the Holland College Summerside campus, at 98 Water Street, at the former Foodland. Article contentPeople are invited to drop off their used books, puzzles and board games on Sept. 25 from 4 to 8 p.m., Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Article contentThe book sale will take place Oct. 2 from 1 to 8 p.m., Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Article content The Summerside Rotary Book Drive will take place at 98 Water St. from Sept. 25 to Sept. 27. The sale will take place from Oct. 2 to Oct. 3. Kristin Gardiner Journal PioneerArticle content
Rotary Club of Summerside hoping to raise more than $20,000 through annual book sale
