Page 4 - NLN March 19

Calling on Shoppers to Paws for a Cause at IGA Unitywater Gives the Gift of Reading to Local
When was the last time you changed someone’s life Children
while you did your weekly grocery shopping? For More than 20 children from the Redcliffe region will
the month of March, Guide Dogs Queensland and receive a new book every month until they turn five
IGA stores across the state are teaming up for the thanks to sponsorship from Unitywater.
IGA Paws for a Cause campaign! Unitywater has partnered with the Rotary Club of
An easy way for shoppers to lend a helping paw, the campaign Redcliffe Sunrise to distribute free books under the Dolly Parton
aims to raise much needed funds to support two very special Imagination Library initiative.
Guide Dog puppies and assist Queenslanders living with Children from birth to the age of five are eligible for the program,
blindness and low vision. which gifts quality, age-appropriate books on a monthly basis.
Country music icon Dolly Parton started the Imagination Library
in 1995 in memory of her father, who could not read. To date,
more than 70 million books have been given to children around
the world.
Rotary Club of Redcliffe Sunrise has already enrolled 28 local
children in the program. Unitywater sponsorship will allow
another 23 children to sign up for the monthly literary surprises.
“We are so proud to support this important initiative because
of the real difference it can make in terms of improving early
childhood literacy,” Unitywater spokesperson Rebecca Marshall
said.
“Reading a book to a child is one of the most rewarding things
you can do. It gives children such a good head start in life by
stimulating their imagination, developing their language and
improving their understanding of the world.
“High levels of literacy have been linked to greater self-esteem
as well as increased academic and occupational success. We are
excited to help local children start off with a solid foundation for
success, in both school and life.”
Rotary President Peter Morley thanked Unitywater for the
support.
“We would like to enrol every child in Redcliffe in this wonderful
program, but the reality is that it does require a financial
Throughout IGA Paws for a Cause, IGA stores in Queensland will investment per child,” Mr Morley said.
stock six limited edition collector cards available for just $2 each. “We’re grateful for this commitment from Unitywater to expand
While $2 may not seem like a significant amount to each of us the program to include more local children.
as individuals, every contribution adds up to make a big impact. “We have so far had a pleasing response from parents enrolling
With your help, IGA is hoping to raise enough throughout the their children, and as a result, we only have a limited number of
month to fund the two year training journey of two Guide Dogs. spaces left.”
With over 30 people on the waitlist for a Guide Dog, your Parents of children aged up to five in the Redcliffe, Clontarf,
support for people who are blind or vision impaired can make a Margate and Kippa-Ring area who would like to apply can
big difference. Make sure you march into your local IGA store to email Mr Morley at morleygroup@gmail.com or phone him
fetch your collector cards today! on 0438 667 539.
Last year alone, the Community’s ongoing support added up to: More information: https://au.imaginationlibrary.com/
63 new puppies being born
24 Guide Dogs graduating
114 children benefiting from special programs just for kids
43 free vision clinics being held across Queensland to support
people concerned about their vision
10,000 hours of support services provided to blind and vision
impaired Queenslanders—helping them gain their freedom and
independence.
If you would like to donate, volunteer or take part in the Guide
Dogs Queensland lottery, visit https://www.guidedogsqld.com.
au for more information.