The annual A Book on Every Bed campaign begins this month. Library staff at the Vankleek Hill branch accept donations of new books to go to children of families in the township who are on the lists for Christmas Hamper baskets from the Vankleek Hill and L’Orignal food banks.

The goal of the project is twofold: library staff want to enourage a love of reading among children in the community, and the project provides residents with an opportunity to help make sure that no child in Champlain Township wakes up without a present on Christmas Day.

The library’s Book on Every Bed project has been going for more than a decade, and it has now expanded to include seniors at local retirement residences in the municipality. Book donors can drop off new magazines or activity books, like word searches, crossword puzzles, or colouring books, to present to seniors Revera Heritage Lodge and MacDonald Residence in Vankleek Hill and Champlain Long Term Care Residence in L’Orignal. The magazines and activity books will help bring some cheer to seniors at the residences.

Deadline for donations of books, magazines, and activity books for this year’s campaign is November 26. Books and magazines must be unwrapped and placed inside a gift bag. Library staff will also accept cash donations towards the purchase of books and magazines for distribution.