Sleepy Dog Books and local businesses give gift of literature to schools for National Reading Month

What’s Happening: In honor of March being National Reading Month, downtown Mt. Pleasant bookstore Sleepy Dog Books is hosting a community-driven fundraiser aimed to provide students and teachers with the gift of literature. Launched March 1 and continuing through the month, the store has already rallied support of individuals and over 20 local businesses as of March 11, raising funds that will directly contribute to the distribution of books in local schools such as Renaissance Public School Academy, Sacred Heart Academy, and Mt. Pleasant Public Schools. 

Why It’s Important: Recognizing the importance of accessible and diverse literature in shaping young minds, Sleepy Dog Books’ fundraiser aims to supply students and teachers with a wide range of books that inspire creativity and critical thinking, which also align with educational curricula.

Courtesy Sleepy Dog Books

What They’re Saying: “We believe in the transformative power of books and the positive impact they can have on a child’s education. Our goal is to provide students and teachers with the resources they need to explore new worlds, ideas, and perspectives,” says Jenny Justis, owner of Sleepy Dog Books. 

“We have seen a real commitment from the local businesses and many of them are stepping up to show their support,” shares Riley Justis, co-owner of Sleepy Dog Books. “We have had a number of individuals donate during their purchases made at the store. We are excited to see what the rest of the month brings and the additional donations and business contributions that the funding drive will result in.”

How You Can Help: Sleepy Dog Books has raised $3,000 so far and has a goal of reaching $10,000 by the end of this month. Members of the community are invited to contribute to this initiative by making donations online here, or in person at Sleepy Dog Books’ store located at 120 E. Broadway Street in Mt. Pleasant. Each dollar raised will go towards acquiring books for classrooms, school libraries, and educational programs. Sleepy Dog Books also encourages local businesses to participate in the fundraiser by sponsoring book donations or direct contributions to support the cause. 

Courtesy Sleepy Dog BooksTo learn more about Sleepy Dog Books’ commitment to literacy in the community, visit www.sleepydogbooks.com or follow them on their social media pages @sleepydogbooks.
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Read more articles by Courtney Jerome.

With 15 years of professional media experience, Courtney Jerome has found a passion for storytelling and showcasing our region in a positive light. She's written stories for television broadcasts, numerous magazines, and digital publications. In addition, she owns a boutique creative marketing agency that focuses on social media, photo, and video storytelling for small businesses across Michigan and the country — courtneyjeromemedia.com. Contact Courtney, the managing editor of Epicenter, at editor@epicentermtpleasant.com.