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Media Release:

Calling All Irish Book Lovers!

St. Michael’s House Launches ‘Bring a Book, Buy a Book’ Campaign 2012

Wednesday 15^th February 2012: St Michael’s House, one of Ireland’s largest providers of community‑based services for children and adults with an intellectual disability, has today launched its 2012 ‘Bring a Book, Buy a Book’ Campaign.

Miriam O’ Callaghan was present at the launch of the ‘Bring a Book, Buy a Book’ Campaign along with St. Michael’s House service users to lend their support to the campaign. Miriam O’ Callaghan said, “I am delighted to support the St Michael’s House ‘Bring a Book, Buy a Book’ Campaign this year. Setting up a ‘Bring a Book, Buy a Book’ location in work, at home or in the classroom couldn’t be easier and is a great way to encourage reading. I urge as many people as possible to take part in this great initiative to support St Michael’s House in raising funds to provide essential community-based services to people with an intellectual disability.”

The Campaign asks volunteers to set up ‘Bring a Book, Buy a Book’ locations in their offices, schools, colleges, clubs or homes. Volunteers contribute their second hand books and purchase books donated by their colleagues, fellow students, friends or family at a cost of €2 per book. The Campaign encourages reading for all and all funds raised will go directly to St Michael’s House to help provide services to children and adults with an intellectual disability. Inez Bailey, Director, National Adult Literacy Agency said, “Not only does the ‘Bring a book, Buy a book’ campaign  encourage people to read and share books, but it also raises much needed funds for St. Michael’s House. So if you can’t donate why not buy your books from one of the many locations around the country and make a difference with your purchase?”

Eamonn Fitzgerald, Chairman, St Michael’s House, commented: “We are delighted to launch the ‘2012 Bring a Book, Buy a Book’ campaign. We raised €45,000 last year and aim to exceed that figure this year. We look forward to welcoming back those who have supported the initiative in the past, and we hope to see some new schools, clubs, families and companies taking part this year too. This is a great way for companies to boost morale while participating in a worthwhile CSR programme.”

A number of pop up shops will be set up for the 2012 ‘Bring a Book, Buy a Book’ campaign. This year, pop up shops can be found in a number of Dublin City centre locations such as Connolly Station and Grafton Street. St. Michael’s House has also teamed up with Eight Twenty Cabs to provide their customers with free books to celebrate the Bring a book, Buy a book Campaign. St. Michael’s House will be leaving free books in selected Eight Twenty Cabs around the city. Sarah Mullins, General Manager from Eight Twenty Cabs said, “The drivers have had a great response from their passengers and we are delighted to be a part of this very worthwhile cause and it is fantastic to see this campaign growing in support every year.”

The ‘Bring a Book, Buy a Book’ Campaign was first piloted in 2008 with 15 different locations taking part. The Campaign has since enjoyed growing success, with 140 locations taking part in 2011 and a total of 90,000 books exchanged and €45,000 raised for St. Michael’s House.

The St Michael’s House 2011 ‘Bring a Book, Buy a Book’ Campaign will take place from the 1^st to 8^th March 2012. To register your location and receive a starter pack for 2011 ‘Bring a Book, Buy a Book’ Campaign: Join us on Facebook or phone (01) 8840200. All funds raised go directly to St Michael’s House to help provide services to children and adults with an intellectual disability.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of St Michael’s House by Heneghan PR

For reference:

Rachel Watchorn/ Gillian Neely

Heneghan PR

Tel: (01) 660 7395

Editor Notes

About St. Michael’s House – St Michael’s House is a community-based voluntary organisation. Founded by parents in 1955, the organisation has grown to become one of the largest providers of services to people with an intellectual disability in Ireland. Today St Michael’s House provides a range of specialised services to over 1,600 children and adults with a learning disability and their families through 170 community based centres in the greater Dublin area.