Around 4 months ago, in our staff meeting we reflected on the literacy journey we embarked on this year and wondered where it should take us in the next stage.
“What about the community? How can we amplify the impact and involve the members of the community?”
The Covid-19 situation encouraged us to think outside the box with respect to funding. We sought help from the local Bunnings Thornleigh, seeing them donate to us plywood needed.
We then approached our local shed. The idea of building a street library on our local street is welcomed by the Shed’s Public Relations Manager Philip Hirshbein who is the mastermind behind the design of the West Pymble Library. We interviewed him and here is what he said,
“The Hornsby Woodworking Men’s Shed was formed in 2001. In those days it was a club for people, mainly in the local area, who had an interest in woodworking.
Our main objective was to help improve members’ skills in a caring, productive environment. A few years later, we evolved into a Men’s Shed, with more involvement in the local community and formed a toy group to support our chosen charities.
This is the second library that I have built, both with the support of Bunnings, resulting in no cost to the recipients. We are proud of our community involvement and the recognition that it brings to the Shed. This has resulted in a steady growth in membership to nearly 200. Not just retired men but people of all age groups from high school upwards. We are also proud to include 20 ladies in that number, they add a nice balance to our workshop dynamics.”
Goodstart West Pymble is proud to support the children’s literacy learning while contributing the cause of local not-for-profits.
