Calgary Reads Big Book Sale May Newsletter
Natalie Appleton
Already, we’ve seen so many Rotary faces bringing the 20th Calgary Reads Big Book Sale to life. With hundreds of hearts and hands sorting books and eagerly awaiting opening day—and some of the special anniversary festivities—it’s easy to see why this sale has become a beautiful, impactful way to engage with our community.
Spreading the Word about Rotary, Big Book Sale and 20 years of raising readers
Over the last several months, we’ve been busy recruiting Rotarians to sign up for shifts to help collect, sort and sell books—nearly 175,000 books to be specific. Now that donation events have just drawn to a close and we are preparing to open Calgary Reads Big Book Sale, we wanted to say thank you for volunteering and contributing to what will surely be another incredible sale!
The Rotary Club of Calgary is now a recognized steward of Calgary Reads Big Book Sale, and there’s growing awareness of our role in distributing proceeds to early literacy organizations in Calgary. Rotary + Big Book Sale = raising the next generation of readers!
Now that we’re almost near opening day, we wanted to remind you of how you can support the sale by bringing your kids and grandkids down to shop for books and spreading the word to help others support the sale. This is the 20th sale and we’re proud to now be an important part of this story!
How to shop the sale
- By appointment, $5 event fee, May 10 & May 11
- Without appointment, $3 event fee, May 12-16
- Sale days (BOGO, Fill-a-Box and Free Day) May 17-20
For hours and everything to know, visit www.bigbooksale.ca.
A short history of the Calgary Reads Big Book Sale
Before it was also a book sale, Calgary Reads was an early literacy non-profit. When the first sale was held in 2003, it was with the wild hope of raising a few hundred dollars to help cover the cost of its one-to-one tutoring programs for struggling young readers in grades 1 and 2. That year, the community’s donated gently used books raised $5,000.
“We were so thrilled,” recalls Steacy Pinney, Calgary Reads’ founder and co-chair of the Early Childhood Literacy Committee, recalling the little white tents pitched in the CBC Calgary parking lot. It was the beginning of something big: a beloved book sale that has grown and grown and grown. -
Last year, the 19th sale raised $501,000—thanks to the nearly 200,000 donated books and the more than 14,000 shoppers. (There was no sale in 2020 because of covid and in 2021 there was only a Little Big Book Sale.)
These days, Calgary Reads Big Book Sale proceeds benefit several early childhood reading initiatives. Early Talks, led by YW Calgary, guides caregivers in improving back-and-forth talk with infants and toddlers. At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area, mentors take weeread.ca training so they can help kids strengthen reading skills. Book Bank, Little Red Reading House and MRU Reads, have also been among sale proceed recipients.
“Here we’ve grown this incredible community of passionate early literacy supporters and book sale volunteers who continue to give time to make this sale possible,” says Pinney, of the sponsors, partners and nearly 1,200 volunteers who will help sort and sell donated books this year. “Over the last 20 sales, we’ve raised $3.5 million and we’re just so thankful because the need is still so great to ensure children get the help they need learning to read by Grade 3.”
Visit the Big Book Sale Facebook or Instagram page to watch a wonderful video of how the sale has evolved and is now led by Rotary!
Learn more about proceed recipients: www.calgaryreads.com
Learn more about Big Book Sale: www.bigbooksale.ca