Magic Begins by Opening a Book

Sep 09, 2024

Christine Melnick & John Helliar

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/briefings/uplift-magic-begins-by-opening-a-book

Christine Melnick - Born and raised in St. Vital. Masters Degree in Library and Information Science from Dalhousie. Started what was to become Share the Magic in 2004. Now a federally registered charity. Provide books of all reading levels, fiction and non-fiction to under-served communities throughout Manitoba, completely free of charge. Sent over 36,000 books to northern and remote First Nations communities. Annually give away over 25,000 to inner-city Winnipeg Schools. Have given away over 760,000 books at an estimated value of over $4.7 million.Celebrating 20 years of Share the Magic this year - 2024. Motto "Let's keep giving away books"

John Helliar - has worked in the Social Services field for over 40 years. He retired from the Manitoba Government in 2016 as a Case Coordinator with Employment and Income Assistances (EIA). He worked with EIA participants in developing job plans that dealt with their barriers and concerns in finding employment or volunteering positions.

John has a B.A. in Economics from the University of Manitoba. John also has worked for several other Social Programs (Student Aid, Employment Insurance, Human Rights, Employment and Immigration). The jobs included program review, policy development, research, and client services.

John has always volunteered. Presently, John is the President of Share the Magic (book giveaway program), Treasurer and Board member at his Church, Board member at Osborne Village Resources Centre (OVRC)and Constituency President with a political party. In the past, he has been President of Darwin School Parent Association, a basketball and soccer coach, and he has volunteered for many one-time events (Canada Games, Pam Am Games, etc.).