The 2012 Reach a Reader campaign to raise funds for literacy programs in the Creston Valley topped $1,760 yesterday. Local politicians, volunteers and Creston Valley Thunder Cat players took to the streets on Thursday to encourage donations to Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL) Creston. In exchange donors received a hot-off-the-press issue of the Creston Valley Advance and other goodies.
In a surprise move, RDCK Area C director kicked in a $500 grant-in-aid, which Area B director John Kettle readily agreed to match. Mayor Ron Toyotal made a healthy personal donation, helping to increase this year's fundraising effort by $1,200 over last year.
"I would like to thank our volunteers and the Creston Valley Advance for their tremendous support," said CBAL co-ordinator Linda Steward. She said some of the money would help purchase badly needed computers.
"Newspapers from the Black Press group across the province are committed to literacy and we are proud to support Reach a Reader and the efforts of CBAL," said Creston Valley Advance publisher Lorne Eckersley. "A special thank you goes to the people who went out on the street yesterday to solicit donations.