DONATE-A-BOOK, SHARE THE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE WITH SM

         Just in time for the back-to-school season, SM shoppers can share the gift of knowledge through The SM Store’s SM Share Movement Donate-A-Book campaign in all branches nationwide.

Ongoing until July 7, shoppers can donate books and school supplies to benefit school children of select SM Foundation supported schools. In exchange, shoppers will receive 50 pesos discount coupon for every donation made.

Grade three pupils of Balanga Elementary school received brand new back packs with school supplies from The SM Store.

Earlier donations from the campaign, which was launched last May 20 were distributed to the Balanga Elementary School in Bataan where employee volunteers from the nearby branches of The SM Store in Pampanga and Olongapo shared a fun-filled day with grade 3 pupils.

 The SM Store donated books from Olongapo and Pampanga branches enough to fill up the mini-library of the two storey school building donated by SM Foundation. Bags and school supplies were also donated just in time for the back to school season.

The grade 3 pupils of Balanga Elementary school were also treated to a story telling session by The Story Telling Project (TSP), a non-government partner organization of SM, with the aim to spark hope, inspiration and imagination through storytelling.

In the session, TSP demonstrated how you can inject fun and enthusiasm in reading as a group activity to teachers, parents, and pupils.

According to Rey Bufi, Executive Director of TSP, “we are aligned with the mission of The SM Store Share Movement Donate-A-Book campaign and Balanga Elementary School to make reading an enjoyable experience for children. It can help start the regular habit of reading in an age when children are often distracted with gadgets.”

Reading , especially for third graders is a very crucial academic skill because it is the foundation of learning, Amy Inieto, Principal of Balanga Elementary School, shared that in addition to their regular school curriculum, they have a program  to reinforce reading habits of learners.

“The books donated by The SM Store through its Share Movement Donate-A-Book campaign will be put to good use. It will become part of our teaching instruments to reinforce the value of reading.” said Inieto.

The SM Share Movement Donate-a-Book campaign is part of The SM Store’s quarterly donation drives- wherein it collects shoes, books, toys, and hygiene kits for identified unprivileged communities, including those impacted by calamities.

According to Joseph Rosal, Senior AVP for Operations of The SM Store, “more shoppers are looking for ways to give back and they can do this through The SM Store.   We want The SM Store to become the venue for people to come together and foster the true Filipino spirit of sharing or “bayanihan.”

The SM Store Share Movement Donate-a-Book campaign is ongoing until July 7 in all The SM Store branches nationwide. Shoppers can share new and pre-loved gently used books. The SM Store also accepts school packs and text books.