The printed word plays a big role in our lives and now it’s about to make the lives of farm animals more comfortable.
St. Albert’s Bailey Books has partnered with Help a Buddy Fund to host a joint fundraiser of second-hand books on Sept. 7.
Help a Buddy is a St. Albert-based volunteer-run charity that hosts fundraisers for animal shelters across the province. Founded by close friends Jillanne Bowler-Veltman and Gennifer Reurink, Help a Buddy does not rescue animals. Instead, it fundraises and provides grants and donations to established rescues to cover veterinary bills and other necessities.
“I started volunteering with rescues in 2019,” said Bowler-Veltman, board president. “That’s when I realized how much rescues do behind the scenes. Our mission is to support rescues financially and take away some of that hard labour of fundraising.”
Bailey Books and Help a Buddy’s upcoming book fundraiser will support Farm Animal Rescue and Rehoming Movement (FARRM). It is a compassionate non-profit sanctuary located near Wetaskiwin.
Operating since 2013, the sanctuary is committed to rescuing, rehabilitating and providing life-long care for animals that have been abused, abandoned or are in need of special care.
FARRM offers animals a safe haven. Many arrive with special needs or have endured past traumas, neglect or genetic conditions that make them more vulnerable.
“All animals deserve an equal chance. We hear stories of what happens to animals when they’re unwanted. Rather than send them to the slaughterhouse, FARRM does really great work. They take in severe medical cases and rehabilitate them. It tugs at my heart,” Bowler-Veltman said.
One successful pairing is Gordo, the pig, and Jade the cat. Gordo arrived at FARRM suffering seizures, an inflamed heart valve and stunted growth. He was treated and today is best buddies with Jade, a cat who wandered onto the property and gave birth.
Fawn, a goat, was transferred from a partner agency. She suffered severe frostbite on her ears and hind legs. Following multiple surgeries, she relies on a custom-built mobility chair.
For Lisa and Barry Bailey, owners of Bailey Books, donating space to support the fundraiser was a given. Both are “passionate” animal lovers who have sheltered a string of greyhound retirees, chihuahuas and cats in their lives.
“We’re happy to work with Help a Buddy on this fundraiser. A lot of animal shelters struggle to stay afloat with veterinary bills, food, housing – especially where larger animals are housed,” said Lisa Bailey.
From Aug. 24 to Sept. 5, the community is invited to donate their second-hand books to support the fundraiser. Books can be dropped off at 29B Rowland Crescent in St. Albert.
“At this moment, we have no idea what to expect. But we’re open to what people bring. Our goal is to get sellable adult, youth and children’s books. We are not accepting textbooks, encyclopedias, cookbooks, magazines, National Geographic or extremely damaged books,” Bailey said.
Donated books will be priced at $10 per book or $25 for three.
“We already have a lot of people who are expecting to donate. It’s nice to see the community stepping up and getting involved in a fundraiser. Our goal that day is to sell Help a Buddy’s books, not ours.”
Following the on-site book sale on Sept. 7 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Help a Buddy will be hosting an online book sale from Sept. 11 to 20 for readers who were unable to attend the earlier sale.
Bailey Books is receiving 10 per cent of the proceeds and the remainder will be split 50/50 between FARRM and Help a Buddy.
