LASS is fundraising to help support our literacy programs that run in the North Okanagan-Shuswap area.
“One of the main programs that we do not currently have sufficient funding for is the Cyber Seniors computer tutoring program,” says Assistant Literacy Outreach Coordinator Violet Pilkey. “While we receive some funding from the province we have not received any significant increase in funding even though we now offer the Cyber Seniors program in both Salmon Arm and Blind Bay.”
The Cyber Seniors program is an important resource for many seniors in the Shuswap area. “We really need this program,” said Kathy, a senior learner in the last round of Blind Bay’s tutoring. “Enrolling in the computer classes for seniors was one of the best things I ever did.” stated another Blind Bay learner, Maura.
Another learner, Carol, had this to say in a letter to LASS last year: “The Cyber Seniors
Computer Tutoring program saved our sanity. This program is absolutely amazing. Both my husband and I were able to get help from both the program coordinator and a volunteer tutor. We were able to resolve general computer issues with our tablet. My husband teaches with the disabled ski school and now he can access his schedule online. It is a wonderful program and the tutors were able to teach us what we needed to focus on when using our tablet. Up until this program we have had no luck in getting the support we needed. The help we received at Cyber Seniors was kind and supportive with the whole package of frustration around elder technology. The program is very encouraging and much appreciated.”
Of course, there are many other programs that would benefit from increased funding, including our One to One children’s reading program, financial literacy programs, and general coordination. “Coordination includes traveling to the smaller communities to provide literacy services and programming, doing research and creating resources for learners and community members, attending kindergarten fairs, and being able to spend some time on finding out what the needs of our communities are and if our current programming is addressing those needs, as well creating new programs where a need is not currently being met.” explains Violet.
LASS is currently planning a raffle fundraiser where community members will be able to purchase a ticket for $2 or 3 tickets for $5 and be entered into a draw for one of four awesome prize packages. Tickets for the raffle will be sold starting Monday November 28, 2016 right until 5 pm on the last day of Unplug & Play Family Literacy Week on Jan 28, 2017. You can purchase tickets through LASS staff and Board members as well as at Unplug & Play events taking place throughout the North Okanagan-Shuswap in the final week of January 2017.
First prize is a free book a month ($25 value) for a year from Bookingham Palace in the Piccadilly Mall (total prize value $300). The second prize (with a total value of $292) is a sports package that includes a basketball and snowshoes from Sport Check, 6 flex tickets to a Silverbacks hockey game, and 2 pairs of merino wool “literacy socks” (pictured above). Third place prize is an arts and crafts package worth $250 with art supplies provided by Salmon Arm Stationery, Intwined Fibre Arts, and Thread and Paper, all local Salmon Arm shops located downtown. Fourth prize gets you a stay at the Prestige Inn in Salmon Arm and breakfast at Cafe Tasse.
Please show your support for LASS and the literacy work we do in the community by buying raffle tickets or by purchasing super soft and cozy merino wool literacy socks for $7.00. Both would make great gifts this holiday season.