Darren Matassa – Honorary Director for the Hastings and Prince Edward County Learning Foundation
For generations, Dr.Seuss and his story books have been a cherished part of our childhood memories.
From Fox in Sox, Sneetches to Horton and his Who’s to The Grinch Who Stole Christmas these imaginative characters and stories still resonate for many of simpler times and carefree growing up.
Dr.Seuss is known for his work writing and illustrating more than 60 books. His work includes many of the most popular children’s books of all time, selling more than 600 million copies and being translated into more than 20 languages by the time of his death.
And March 2 is the good doctors’ birthday so an idea was hatched like a hump on a Gump to not only celebrate the generational joy this author has brought to millions but perhaps, just perhaps help regional school-aged kids and their families experience a better today.
What do we mean by that?
Well, Chapters/Indigo, Ekort Realty and the Quinte Mall have joined forces with the Hasting Prince Edward District School Board’s Learning Foundation that curate the Food for Learning Program, The Prom Project among many other programs to use Dr.Seuss’s Birthday as the premise for fundraising efforts specifically targeting the Students Emergency Fund.
The Student Emergency Fund provides immediate assistance for students in crisis situations. Last school year the Learning Foundation through the Student Emergency Fund responded to 352 requests from families that needed some help.
Most requests continue to be for food, clothing and hygiene products. The need for assistance seems to go up every year which is why fundraising is so critical to keep these programs well – funded to be effective.
On Sunday, March 1, between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Chapters will share their store with many guest readers of these Dr. Seuss timeless classics. Radio personalities, municipal politicians, voice actors are just some of the volunteer readers.
This new fundraiser has struck a note with many other organizations and businesses in the region as well.
The Sir James Whitney School will send along volunteers to sign language the narration of the stories by guest readers and the St. John Ambulance Dog Program will also be on hand. There will be prizes donated by Chapters and the Quinte Mall.
How do you help fundraise for the Student Emergency Fund? Chapters Belleville is willing to donate 15 per cent of all sales for the business day of March 1 from shoppers who choose to identify themselves as being in support of the Learning Foundation’s “Student Emergency Fund.”
This type of community support is “Sneetch -worthy” as Dr.Seuss might say.
So on March 1, plan to enjoy a nice coffee from Starbucks and reminisce over the many stories and tales penned by Dr. Seuss and as read by local narrators.
This fundraiser and its success wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for Ekort Realty, Chapters, The Quinte Mall, the Sir James Whitney School, the St. John Ambulance Dog Program, Cool 100, 95.5 Hits FM and www.inquinte.ca and its Starboard Cares initiative along with the many dedicated volunteers all hoping to help out the Student Emergency Fund.
