200 books down, $5K more to go for Izzy the Bookworm

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Izzy “the Bookworm” Martchenko, nine, is well known as one of the city’s most voracious readers – and this year she is using her gifts to help raise money for a new library.

Izzy and her mom Lindsey Martchenko run a readathon every year, raising money through community donations. In the past they have devoted their proceeds towards MS research, though Izzy wanted to focus on another cause in the news recently: the Stratford Public Library.   

“Because I heard that they need a new building that's larger because there's not enough space and it's not accessible,” Izzy shared about why she picked the library as the beneficiary. “So say somebody's in a wheelchair and there's a fire upstairs … they can't get down the stairs. They have to wait for somebody to come and rescue them. It's really not accessible. So they need a building that's more accessible and larger for all of the events.”

The local library has long suffered with space issues, being severely undersized for Stratford’s population at its St. Andrew Street location, on top of the accessibility issues Izzy spoke about.

With its board focused on a new location, library leadership is looking to Stratford’s keystone Grand Trunk renewal project as its next home. No formal agreement has been made, though a memorandum of understanding may be signed as soon as next week and the partners of said project are moving forward with the understanding that the library will be included in a new community hub with the local YMCA.

This year, Izzy and Lindsey hope to raise $5,000 for the site, though the library may be expected to contribute $4-5 million for the community space. When asked if Izzy will be back next year to help get closer to that figure, Lindsey said, “I hope so!”

“We’re happy to do it,” said Lindsey. “And I mean, everybody is loving the cause as well. I was a little bit worried about it when we first chose the library, because I know everybody loves the library, but not everybody thinks about it in terms of a charitable cause, right? You know, it's very easy to think about giving to the hospital or homelessness or some of these very important causes in our city, and I wasn't sure how people would receive the fact that we transitioned our charitable efforts to the library. But the book donations are pouring in.”

In addition to the readathon, the Martchenkos organize a book sale every year at Bedford Public School, with all of the products donated from the community and all of the proceeds going towards a cause of their choice. In the past, the proceeds went towards MS research. This year, in keeping with the focus on the library, the sales will go towards this readathon.

The book sale takes place April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Book prices are by donation, meaning attendees can pay what they want.

Izzy has read about 200 books this year for the readathon, though noted that there is still time and reading to do.

As of press time, $845 has been raised towards the $5,000 goal. To donate, visit https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/peer-to-peer/izzys-read-a-thon.