GRANTS IN ACTION: Books In the Bruce
Since 2017, Books in the Bruce has been hosting free events for children and their families to explore nature and read books. In 2023, they received a grant from Community Foundation Grey Bruce through the “Kids Can Play” granting initiative. The Community Foundation team joined Karen Ruetz, program founder, for a stroll down a story-lined trail in Kincardine with program participants aged newborn to 5 years old.
The regular Books in the Bruce activities run from November through June, but high demand and long waitlists inspired the organization to expand programming into the summer. “During the summer months our Literacy Walks are enjoyed by many families throughout the entire community and surrounding areas” says Ruetz. “We blow up pages of a book and post them along a trail, families take a self-guided tour and read the book along the way.”
The cost of buying children’s books can add up for families in Grey Bruce, and Ruetz has partnered with several community partners such as Elgin Market Public School and Scholastic Canada. In the organization’s 6 years of serving the community, over 800 books have been given away and have reached more than 1200 children in Kincardine, Ripley, Tiverton, Lucknow and Point Clark.
If you and your family want to join Books in the Bruce in their journey to create positive memories and cultivate a lifelong love of books, visit their Facebook page for more information at www.facebook.com/pineriverunited/. To support Books in the Bruce and similar organizations, visit www.communityfoundationgreybruce.com/donate/.