The Gawler Zonta Club is keen for local children to catch the ‘reading bug’ this winter.
The club has garnered the support of a number of local schools and Local Member of Parliament, Mr Tony Piccolo in their endeavour to ‘spread the reading bug” throughout Gawler and surrounding districts.
Mr Piccolo said the club is collecting preloved books suitable for children up to 12 years which will then be re-distributed to children in the local area.
“Zonta Club will distribute the books collected through their Giant Book Swap to be held on Friday and Saturday 30th and 1st July between 10 am and 4 pm under the Big Gum Tree at the rear of the Gawler Arcade,” said Mr Piccolo.
Zonta co-ordiantor for the project, Ms Wendy Randell, said children are invited to come along to the Giant Book Swap and choose a book to take home and keep.
“Adults attending the Giant Book Swap must be accompanied by a child,” Ms Randell said.
“The club is trying to ensure that all children have books at home to read.”
“Children perform better at school when they have books at home and parents are able to reinforce the importance of learning skills like literacy.” Mr Piccolo said his electorate office at 148 Murray Street, the Gawler Community House and a number of schools in the area are collection points for the preloved.
“By recycling these books more children will be able to experience the joy of reading, and the books will have an opportunity to turn over a new leaf, rather than collect dust on some shelf,” Mr Piccolo said.
For more information, please contact Wendy Randell on 0407 290 852 or via email wrandell@dodo.com.au or celebwend@dodo.com.au who can also advise on schools participating in the program.