Children’s Hospital Foundation Hosts Successful Book Sale at St. Vital Centre

The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba successfully hosted a pop-up book sale at the St. Vital Centre on Saturday, attracting book lovers eager to support a worthy cause. The event featured a diverse range of genres, including fantasy, horror, science fiction, and Halloween-themed books, all curated by dedicated volunteers.

Event coordinator Carol Irving noted that this smaller-scale sale was an experiment, as the foundation typically organizes larger events in April and September. “We thought we’d just experiment and see how the public likes smaller sales,” Irving stated. The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive, affirming her belief in the enduring appeal of physical books.

Irving acknowledged earlier concerns about how digital reading devices might affect traditional book sales. “Here’s the bottom line. We have found that people who love to read – what they want is the feel of a book, the texture of the book in their hands,” she explained. The foundation has experienced consistent growth in sales over the years, with proceeds directly benefiting child health initiatives.

Supporting Child Health Initiatives

Since its inception in 1961, the Children’s Hospital Foundation has relied on volunteer efforts to raise funds for child health research and various programs. The proceeds from the book sale will support the foundation’s Child Life programming, which aims to provide comfort and support to children and their families during hospital stays.

These initiatives include music therapy, an internal television station featuring child-friendly content, and a mini hospital designed to help young patients familiarize themselves with medical treatments and procedures. These programs play a crucial role in alleviating the stress children face in healthcare settings.

Irving expressed satisfaction with the event’s success, stating, “We are making more and more money for a very wonderful cause.” The community’s enthusiasm for the pop-up sale underscores the importance of supporting child health and the impact of such initiatives on families in need.

For those interested in learning more about the foundation or contributing to its efforts, additional information is available on the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba’s website. The organization continues to encourage public support for its ongoing work to enhance the lives of children experiencing health challenges.