When a small community organization goes about trying to raise $1.1 million, and is close to succeeding, a great many small details have to fall into place. And a great deal of effort, of many forms and from many levels, must take place.

The Kootenay Child Health and Development Centre Society’s ongoing efforts to raise $1.1 million have resulted in more than $900,000 raised thus far.

“The momentum is really building. After two years of fundraising, that is really wonderful,” said Patricia Whalen, who has been a key society member aiding in raising money for the much-needed centre.

“The centre will be a legacy for the region,” she said, adding that the East Kootenay is the only region in British Columbia that does not currently have such a facility.

Whalen was speaking to e-KNOW during a reading at Lotus Books, Nov. 28, by Cranbrook-based children’s book author Trina Ayling, of Whimsical Publishing. Along with her publishing partner Micheline Ryckman, Whimsical is donating 20% of all proceeds from Miss Emily Goes to Bat, written by Ayling and illustrated by Ryckman – an example of one of the many small attempts that are proving to be big help for the children’s centre.

“All the money raised has been through the generosity of community businesses and organizations. None of this has come from government,” Ayling pointed out. “It shows the kind of support we have here in the East Kootenay.”

“We’re very pleased that Trina and Micheline have chosen our project,” said Whalen, who was also recently elected to the Rocky Mountain School District (No. 5) school board of trustees, on which Ayling also sits after being re-elected for a second term Nov. 19.

Whalen and Ayling expressed gratitude to Lotus Books for providing a venue to help promote the centre and local literature.

“We’re very thankful for Lotus Books – and really appreciative of the local support,” Ayling said, adding that interest in Miss Emily Goes to Bat is growing region-wide.

“We have a lot of educators who are interested in the books,” she said, noting she’s doing more readings now at local schools, including a recent one at her son’s Grade 5 class at T.M. Roberts Elementary School. She also recently completed readings at libraries in Invermere, Kimberley and Cranbrook.

It is hoped that the children’s centre will be completed by April 1, 2012.

If you would like a copy (copies) of the book, or to arrange a reading, contact [email protected] for more information.

For more on the centre project please go to: http://www.kootenaycdc.ca/project-details-2/ .

On a related note, Lotus Books is involved with Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy and they are helping with the organization’s used book drive for needy families. If you have used books you would like to donate, you can drop them off at Lotus Books.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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