Book retailer gets behind Christchurch schools

Paper Plus Group today begins the distribution of almost 36,000 books collected as part of their book drive for the children of Christchurch.  The books, both new and used, were donated at Paper Plus and Take Note stores nationwide in response to the February earthquake.

The books are being distributed at all 34 schools in the city involved in the Duffy Books in Homes programme.  Schools involved in the programme are all lower decile and their families have been amongst the worst affected by the tragic earthquakes of September and February. The Paper Plus Group is being assisted by logistics firm and Duffy Books in Home sponsor Mainfreight who will ensure that the thousands of books get to their destinations in Christchurch.

 The books are being distributed during special Duffy Role Model assemblies in which well-known New Zealanders such as Linda Vagana, Dallas and Julie Seymour and the teams from What Now! and The Erin Simpson Show take the time to visit schools and spread the message ‘It’s Cool to Read and Cool to Achieve.’  The assemblies were originally scheduled to take place in Term One but have been moved to the Term Two as a result of the earthquake.

Also in attendance at the assemblies will be representatives from the eight Christchurch Paper Plus stores. They will help present books collected from Paper Plus and Take Note stores throughout New Zealand.

Paper Plus Group CEO, Rob Smith, was impressed with the support shown by communities around the country. “After the earthquake we put our heads together to see how Paper Plus and Take Note could help out and we are delighted at the response to our book drive. Our customers around New Zealand have really pulled together to get the kids of Christchurch something of real value” he said.

Linda Vagana, General Manager of Duffy Books in Homes, was thrilled with the support from the Paper Plus Group, “Our efforts to promote family literacy have really been hampered in Christchurch.  We’re delighted that the Paper Plus Group and their customers have chosen to support our children and their families with such an amazing donation,’ she said.

Since the official launch in 1995 with 80 schools, 16,000 students and 14 sponsors, the Duffy Books in Homes programme has grown to encompass 541 schools, around 100,000 students and more than 200 sponsors in 2011.  More than seven million books have been distributed to children in low-decile schools since its inception and the programme now distributes more than 600,000 books annually.