Help create a love of reading for newborns with the Piper Project

Last October, Spencer and Erica Hogan lost their second daughter, Piper, within the same day she was welcomed into the world. Shortly after, the Piper Project was created in memory of Piper Marie Hogan by her parents. 

“As we felt numb, leaving the hospital with a memory box that was put together by our amazing nurses, we felt that we wanted to do something,” Erica Hogan said in a previous story on SooToday. “We wanted to do something not only for the parents who could possibly be in our shoes one day, walking out of the hospital without their child in their arms but also for the parents who get to take their child home.”

During Erica’s pregnancy, their oldest daughter Sophie said that she was looking forward to reading books to her new baby sister. 

“We could just imagine the memories that would be made between the two of them and for us,” Hogan said. 

Spencer and Erica Hogan came up with the idea to collect books for the Sault Area Hospital Maternity Unit, calling it the Piper Project, in hopes that every newborn could go home with a new book and learn to love reading. 

The Hogans are now hoping to collect 10 children’s books a day during the month of October, in honour of the anniversary of Piper’s birthday. If you would like to donate a book, you can drop it off at Hogan’s Homestead Gift Shop located at 536 Second Line West. You can also order a book online through their website. 

All donated books are hand-delivered to the Sault Area Hospital each month. So far, over 1,100 books have been donated. 

Orange Shirt Day

Sept. 30

Algoma University is cancelling all classes this Thursday, Sept. 30 in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. The day will be spent learning and reflecting on the impacts of the Indian Residential School system, with in-person and virtual events. The tentative agenda for the day is as follows:

St. Joseph Country Road Open House

Oct. 2-3

This weekend, support local businesses on St. Joseph Island with a self-guided tour of art studios, farms and other makers across the island. The St. Joseph Country Road Open House will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy the fall scenery and check out the various participating shops and businesses. A full list of the 11 open locations can be found on the event’s Facebook post. 

CIBC Run for the Cure 

Oct. 3

The 30th annual Canadian Cancer Society CIBC Run for the Cure is happening this Sunday, Oct. 3 starting at 11 a.m. This will be the third decade of Canadians of all ages coming together to help those affected by breast cancer. This year’s Run Day will have both physical and virtual components, including a live-streamed opening ceremony. Register or donate at cibcrunforthecure.com

Grocer 4 Good Parking Lot Pig Roast 

Oct. 3

Grocer 4 Good is hosting a parking lot pig roast this Sunday, Oct. 3 starting at 4:30 p.m. under tents in the ERGO Office Plus parking lot. This is a chance to get dressed up and enjoy some food with your friends and family. There will be a cash bar and silent auction table. Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased online. 

Friends of Camera Craft Annual Show and Sale

Oct. 1- Dec. 4

Camera Craft is hosting their Friends of Camera Craft Annual Show and Sale starting this Friday and running every day until Dec. 4 during business hours. The event will showcase the creative work of many local photographers. Head to Camera Craft on 716 Queen St. East to attend during business hours. 

Have an event coming up? Add it to our Community Calendar here.

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