Literacy Lambton hopes to share the love of reading with thousands of children through this year's Give-a-Book campaign.
Executive Director Tracy Pound is hoping to collect thousands of new and unwrapped books over the next month.
"The campaign just started," said Pound. "It will be going until December 6 and we are encouraging the community to buy a new book and either drop that off, or purchase them from The Book Keeper in Northgate Plaza, Coles in Lambton Mall or you can come by our office in the Lochiel Kiwanis Community Centre."
Pound said monetary donations are also being accepted.
"If you don't have the opportunity to go out and buy a book, a way that you can help is by making an online donation through www.literacylambton.org."
Pound said they're collecting for ages zero to 18, so they need books for parents to read to newborns, up to ones that interest teenagers.
"Right now, I would say that baby board books would be a need, and also early elementary Grade One to Grade Four."
Online donations of $25 or more will receive an immediate, printable tax receipt.
"Oftentimes, we don't really know what the requests will be, and so there might be gaps in age groups. [Donations] allow us to go out and buy more baby books or whatever that need is."
Pound hopes to collect the same amount, or more, than last year.
"Last year, Sarnia-Lambton really rose to the challenge. We set the bar very high, or at least I thought it was high at 3,000 books, and the final result was 3,104 new books and we also grew the front line agency partners that helped us get books into the hands of kids in our community from 20 to 26."
Pound said The Book Keeper is offering a special incentive.
"[Owner] Susan Chamberlain has offered 20 per cent off all books that are purchased there and donated directly to the campaign."
