There’s something amazing about getting decked out in our craziest costumes and heading out for a night of trick-or-treating every Halloween.
But, what if the treats could feed kids minds instead of their waste lines?
This year, Our Big Earth Media Co. in collaboration with a creative crew of community organizations are offering an alternative to Tootsie Rolls and candy corn with the Books for Treat community initiative. Kids, families, businesses and organizations across the Comox Valley are invited to participate by offering gently used books instead of candy to trick-or-treaters.
Our Big Earth makes it easy to do right from your doorstep with a downloadable how-to kit available at Ourbigearth.com that gives you instructions, posters, bookmarks and more free of charge.
“Books for Treats is a fun and healthy alternative to Halloween candy. You spend about $15 on Halloween candy; why not go through your stacks or hit the second-hand stores and spend that on books?” said organizer Robin Rivers.
“Helping to reduce the rates of childhood diabetes and obesity while creating a love of stories helps us raise monster readers. We can do that easily and have lots of fun with Books for Treats.”
Community organizations including the Courtenay Library, Comox Valley Literacy Now, 4R’s Education Centre, Cumberland Museum, Brooklyn Elementary StrongStart, Wachiay Friendship Centre and Polka Dot Pants! Consignment Boutique will host special book stations and fun reading-related experiences for the whole family.
For example, 4R's, Comox Valley Literacy Now, and the Courtenay library will "treat" children's books Oct. 31 at the Courtenay library from 4 to 5 p.m. Each family will receive a book until all the books have been given out.
With that in mind, they are now taking donations of new or gently used books (baby through to Grade 6 level) for this event. Baby and toddler books are especially needed. Bring your books either to the Courtenay library or 4R’s during regular weekday business hours.
Local residents interested in giving out books at their homes this year can get more information and download the how-to kit in the Events section at Ourbigearth.com.
— Our Big Earth