When Steve and Sheila Leahy decided to donate their books, they wanted others to enjoy reading as much as they did.

The North Vancouver couple donated 3,000 books to the Decoda Literacy Foundation as part of the Give a Book. Give Literacy. campaign. Their gift is now helping literacy and community organizations across British Columbia put books directly into people’s hands.

For Steve, books have always meant more than entertainment.

“Books, to me, are pure magic,” he says. “You control the evolution of not only the characters but also the settings. There is a two-way connection between the reader and the book.”

Steve believes reading is different from watching TV. With books, readers are active and engaged, not just taking in what they are shown.

Steve hopes others who read the books will feel that same sense of connection. “I hope that others who read these volumes will enjoy them as much as I did.”

A lifetime love of reading

Steve says he was lucky to attend a school that strongly emphasized reading.

“They taught the basics, one of which was reading,” he says. “I also took extra speed-reading and comprehension courses. That helped my enjoyment of learning through reading.”

Over the years, Steve and Sheila built a large personal library. They found books at bookstores and garage sales and were always on the hunt for new adventures. Many of the donated books are popular mysteries by authors such as James Patterson and John Grisham.

Give a Book. Give Literacy.

In September, Decoda ran a province-wide campaign during Literacy Month. The campaign celebrated the power of literacy to change lives and encouraged people to share new or gently used books so more people could enjoy reading.

The campaign focused on access. It made sure books reached literacy learners, families and community members who might not otherwise have them.

Steve and Sheila’s donation played a major role in that effort.

Books as gifts at Gathering Place

One of the organizations that received the books was Gathering Place Community Centre. The centre supports people in Vancouver’s downtown with accessible programs focused on food, health, education, and community connection.

The centre also has a library. Staff used many of the donated books as holiday gifts for their patrons.

“We added a few more books under the tree,” said librarian Marnie Fleming. “Folks are loving them and showing a lot of gratitude.”

Thanks to donors like Steve and Sheila Leahy, thousands of new reading journeys have begun.

How You Can Help

This September and throughout the year, you can support Give a Book. Give Literacy.

Donate new or gently used books to help make reading more available across BC.
Learn how to donate

You can also make a financial gift to support literacy groups. These donations help organizations buy books that suit lower literacy readers and meet local needs.

Donate online

Every book and every gift opens the door to reading for more people.