Overwhelming response to free book giveaway event in McGregor

Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy (front row, centre) and a group of volunteers gathered at the McGregor Community Centre last Saturday for a free book giveaway. Over 900 readers are estimated to have attended.

Over 900 avid readers of all ages came to McGregor last Saturday morning to get stocked up on books.

There were boxes and bags to carry them in, and according to organizers an estimated 10,000 volumes ranging from adult fiction and non-fiction, to, mystery, children’s, sports, juvenile and self-help were available.

“I got some large print books for my mom, she likes everything,” said Dawn Walters who came in from Kingsville.

All the books were free for the taking, however monetary and non-perishable goods for the food bank were collected as donations which amounted to four large boxes of food and $985. CUPE 2318 also donated a $100 gift card.

Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy and Councillor Kim Verbeek organized the event and by 10 a.m., they were surprised at the number of people who had come to the McGregor Community Centre.

“We want to provide literacy to the community and to ensure we are reducing, reusing and recycling materials that are surplus,” said Bondy.

Several volunteers loaded heavy boxes and transported them down Walker Road from Harrow to McGregor last Friday night where they were snapped up.

According to Bondy, who is the deputy chair of the Essex County Library Board, the books were discards from the branches and many of them had been stored in the basement at the county building in Essex.

There had been a flood in the basement where they were being stored so they had to be moved and donated to the giveaway.

Large crowds came to a free book giveaway April 25 at the McGregor Community Centre on Walker Road.

“It’s a great opportunity to put the books all in one place and invite the community to come in and take as many books as they want,” said Bondy.

Bondy was very pleased to have so many volunteers on both Friday and Saturday and said they were rewarded with being able to have the first pick of the books.

Saturday saw staff from the McGregor library branch on hand to sign up those who wanted a lending card.

Essex County Library Board has 14 branches throughout the seven municipalities and lend out more than just books. That includes a new program where those with a library card can check out a birding kit which includes binoculars, guidebooks and survey sheet.

Overwhelming response to free book giveaway event in McGregor

By Fred Groves