Yukon’s mining and exploration industry raises $40,000 to support childhood literacy in the territory

WHITEHORSE, YUKON – Yukon’s mining and exploration industry came out to support the Yukon Imagination Library and childhood literacy during the Yukon Geoscience Forum this fall.

Nearly $40,000 was raised for the Yukon Imagination Library (YIL) at the Yukon Chamber of Mines 46th Annual Geoscience Forum Banquet in November 2018.

Over the past seven years, this event has raised nearly $200,000 to support YIL, a local non-profit organization that gives free age-appropriate books to Yukon children from birth to age 5.

“It’s another banner year for fundraising at the Yukon Geoscience Forum,” YIL Board Chair Wendy Tayler says. “Once again the mining industry has stepped forward to enable a critical social program to continue. We could not do this without their support.”

The live auction was held before a packed banquet hall at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. Items available for bid included generous donations from GoldCorp, Air North, Yukon’s Airline, Mercer Contracting, Kluane Drilling, SurveyTECH Instruments and Services, Career Industries Ltd., Fordia, Chieftain Energy, Tintina Consultants, CIBC Wood Gundy – Boychuk Knoblauch Financial Group, and esteemed Vancouver artist Jeff Wilson.

“According to writer Elizabeth Hardwick: ‘The greatest gift is a passion for reading,’” Yukon Chamber of Mines President Mike Burke says. “I am pleased that our mining community can help instill this passion for reading in Yukon children. It is the foundation for lifelong learning that will develop our leaders of tomorrow, no matter what path they choose.”

Every dollar raised by the Yukon Imagination Library up to $50,000 annually is match funded by the Government of Yukon.

“Reading with our children builds strong family relationships and can help encourage a love of reading from an early age,” says Minister of Health and Social Services Pauline Frost. “We are happy to support the Yukon Imagination Library spread imagination, laughter and literacy in a way that promotes the confidence and the long-term success of Yukon children.”

The Yukon Geoscience Forum banquet also featured a successful silent auction organized by The Northern Safety Network Yukon (NSNY). This is the seventh year in a row NSNY has coordinated a silent auction to support YIL.

“We appreciate the opportunity to be able to contribute to such a worthwhile cause,” NSNY Executive Director Sheila Sergy says. “It is a charity that is close to our hearts. Many of our own families and friends have received and loved the books provided through the Yukon Imagination Library program.”

To learn more about the YIL, make a donation, or register your preschool-aged child for this free program, please visit yukonimaginationlibrary.ca