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Visit the Lieutenant Governor's web site for more information at
http://www.lt.gov.on.ca/en/Causes/BookDrive.asp?nav=2&sub=5

Book Drive for Aboriginal Youth - 2009 Lieutenant Governor's Aboriginal "Summer Reading" Book Drive

Please donate a brand new book or two for youth up to age 14 to refresh the libraries in fly-in First Nation communities in northern Ontario with the same current titles that will be enjoyed over the summer by young people in other parts of the province. Books can be dropped off at any OPP Detachment or Toronto Police Service Division until Sunday, June 21st, the first day of summer and National Aboriginal Day.

Press Release

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES BOOK DRIVE FOR ABORIGINAL YOUTH

TORONTO, May 29, 2009  – The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, will announce a book drive for aboriginal youth.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR’S ABORIGINAL SUMMER READING BOOK DRIVE will last until Sunday, June 21st, the first day of summer and National Aboriginal Day.

Only brand new books for youth up to age 14 will be collected, with the intention of refreshing local libraries in Ontario’s northern fly-in First Nation communities in the north with the same choice of current books that young people in other corners of the province will relish during the summer months.

As in the past, new books can be dropped off at any Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment throughout the province and, within Toronto, at any Toronto Police Services station.

Land Forces Central Area (Department of National Defence) will help pack, sort and transport books.

More than 40,000 new books were collected in the 2008 Lieutenant Governor’s Aboriginal Book Drive.

“I encourage all Ontarians to purchase a book or two for native youth in Ontario’s northern regions,” said Lieutenant Governor Onley. “I appeal to the same generous Ontarians who have wholeheartedly participated in past book drives implemented by the Lieutenant Governor’s Office to donate a new book that will make an enormous difference in the lives of young people.”

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

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Contact:

Nanda Casucci-Byrne
Office of the Lieutenant Governor
416-325-7780
www.lt.gov.on.ca

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OPP press release

Commissioner Fantino encourages Ontarians to support the annual Lieutenant Governor's Book Drive for native youth

    ORILLIA, ON, June 4 /CNW/ - OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino today announced support of the Lieutenant Governor's 2009 Book Drive and encouraged the public to help instil a love of reading among Aboriginal children.

    "The OPP is in a unique position to see the direct benefit of providing books to Aboriginal youth, given our policing responsibilities, said Commissioner Fantino. "The challenges to providing services to remote northern communities can only be met when all partners continue to work together to bring hope for the future."

    'Summer Reading' is this year's theme for the Lieutenant Governor's 4th Book Drive. The goal this year is to refresh community libraries in Ontario's fly-in First Nation communities in the north, to provide them with books that are available to children in other corners of the province.

    The Book Drive will only accept brand new books appropriate for children 14 years and under. Books can be dropped off at any OPP location throughout the province, and within Toronto, at any Toronto Police Services Station.

    Lieutenant Governor David Onley is committed to continuing the Aboriginal Youth Literacy Program started by his predecessor The Hon. James Bartleman.

    The OPP is partnering with the Toronto Police Service, Nishnawbe-Aski Nation, Department of National Defence, the Toronto District School Boards, and Wasaya Air.

    The OPP is committed to ensuring that Aboriginal youth are afforded every opportunity to learn to read and succeed. You can help us by donating new books before the Book Drive wraps up on National Aboriginal Day on June 21, 2009.

For further information: Inspector Robin McElary-Downer, Highway Safety Division, Phone: (905) 681-2511