Community support stacks up for Manitoba book sale

Children’s Hospital Book Market fall sale to be held September 27-28 at St. Vital Centre

Winnipeg, MB, Treaty One Territory (September 26, 2024) – Manitobans – prepare your bags, rolling luggage and shopping carts for the Children’s Hospital Book Market fall sale on September 27-28 at St. Vital Centre. Thanks to hundreds of dedicated volunteers, proceeds from thousands of gently used books will go towards innovative programming to provide comfort to kids at HSC Children’s Hospital, Manitoba’s only children’s hospital.

Children’s Hospital Fall Book Market hours:

• Friday, September 27 | 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
• Saturday, September 28 | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

This community event is possible thanks to more than 300 volunteers working year-round to collect donated books from Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service Stations and Dufresne Furniture & Appliances stores, then meticulously sorting and pricing each book. Volunteers also pack and move the books to St. Vital Centre on four semi-trailers before they manage the many genre tables and help readers find their perfect books.

“We are so grateful for the incredible support of our community of dedicated volunteers and their commitment to give back to the Children’s Hospital Book Market,” says Carol Irving, Book Market Coordinator.

“We also thank our long time Book Market shoppers and sponsors; we could not do this without you. Your support helps kids who need treatment and care at HSC Children’s Hospital.”

Thanks to donors’ generosity, shoppers can fill their bookshelves from just about any category at discounted prices including cookbooks, mystery, children’s books, sports, languages, travel, gardening and so much more.

Book Market is a critical fundraiser for the Child Life program at HSC Children’s Hospital, raising between $300,000 – $500,000 each year for programming to provide comfort for kids and families in hospital.

Child Life programming includes Children’s Hospital TV (CHTV), a closed-circuit TV station that provides free broadcasts to engage and entertain kids in hospital; Music Therapy; the Library Program; a playroom full of toys and a mini hospital environment where kids can learn about procedures and treatments; and special activities and celebrations to provide distraction and help families make meaningful memories while a child is in hospital.

“Child Life programming makes a world of a difference for children in hospital,” Jenny Kidder, Manager of Child Life at HSC Children’s Hospital.

“These programs provide opportunities for normal growth and development of children facing a broad range of health care-related challenges.”

“Children’s Hospital Book Market is a community favourite sale that has an incredible impact by supporting critical programs for kids at HSC Children’s Hospital,” says Stefano Grande, Foundation President and CEO.

“We’re so thankful for dedicated volunteers who work all year long to host Book Market, our community and sponsors like Dufresne, Amazon, St. Vital Centre, and many more who continue caring for kids in hospital through their support of this event.”