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The Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba is adding an extra chapter to its annual spring book market this year as it celebrates 65 years of supporting sick and injured kids at Winnipeg's Children's Hospital.
The Children's Hospital Book Market was first started in 1961 and is now officially the longest-running volunteer-organized event in support of the foundation.
“Book Market holds a special place in all our hearts as volunteers, and it’s wonderful to be able to celebrate 65 years of helping kids in hospital,” says Meredith McArthur, a Book Market volunteer for 37 years and former chair of the Book Market board. “We’re so grateful for the community’s continued support and look forward to many more years of raising funds to make a difference for families.”
The Children’s Hospital Book Market was the first event of its kind in Canada, and to this day, the event relies 100 percent on volunteers, with teams that work all year to collect, sort and price books. Volunteers also pack and move the books, and on event days, organize and ring up purchases.
"Every single volunteer has a reason for being part of Book Market and a connection to the cause of helping Children’s Hospital," says Carol Irving, Book Market Coordinator since 2004. "These are smart, capable and talented folks using their skills to make each event as impactful as possible."
Since its inception, the book market has raised more than $10 million for HSC Children's Hospital.
"Children’s Hospital Book Market makes a monumental impact for kids and families in hospital by supporting innovative Child Life programming," says Jenny Kidder, Manager of Child Life. "We know opportunities for comfort, distraction and engagement – like music therapy, the library program, The Good Day Show and therapeutic play – are an important part of a child’s recovery. We can’t thank Book Market volunteers enough for continuing to raise funds for these important initiatives."
The anniversary sale will have thousands of books from over 80 categories, including fiction, children’s books, mystery, recent releases, sports, cookbooks, travel, poetry, reference and languages.
The Children's Hospital Spring Book Market will take place Friday, April 25- Sunday, April 27, at St. Vital Centre.