AG Foods Throws The Book At Literacy

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By Todd Curran

ECS students from C. Ian McLaren and Turner Valley schools were herded to the new Sheep River Library to receive a gift of knowledge and wonder from Black Diamond's AG Foods (Country Food Mart).

Mark Muller of AG Foods donated free family library memberships to every kindergarten student in Turner Valley and Black Diamond. Thirty children from C. Ian Mclaren School in Black Diamond came to get their memberships May 10th and 26 from Turner Valley School picked up theirs on May 12th.

“There's nothing better than a good book,” Mark says. “We want to promote literacy to these kids as a part of their daily routine. Lots of them have brothers and sisters, and with the family pass, it gets everybody involved in making reading a family activity. They can read for fun and read to learn.”

Mark also read the children Something Good by Robert Munsch, which is a dad and daughter story of calamity at a local grocery store. “This is really great because AG Foods is promoting literacy and bringing new patrons to our facility with their donation,” says Library Manager Mohammad Zia-ul-Haque.

“Sponsoring all those memberships has brought our rate up to 37% of the local population.”
“The new library is a wonderful addition to our community,” Mark says. “Maybe now a few more kids will turn off the TV and open a book instead.”

Mark's community spirit also reaches local music education, devoting every weekend this month to raising money for the Diamond Valley Band Association. “It reaches all the communities in the area,” he says. “And, the arts are a key component to education.”

Please show your support for the businesses that support our community by shopping locally.