On May 28th, the Community Foundation was honored to attend the Grand Opening of “Eva’s Children’s Reading Corner” at the Ponoka Jubilee Library.

This warm and welcoming space was created through the Eva Schmidt Endowment Fund which was established by Eva Schmidt’s family at the Red Deer & District Community Foundation. This fund memorializes “Miss Eva,” who was an active supporter in the early intervention world.

Eva Schmidt was a dedicated advocate of children, and had a gift for using music, art, and literature to engage the young people that she worked with. She had a unique understanding of children, and a passion for ensuring that the children she cared for were loved and nurtured.

It is in this generous spirit that the Eva Schmidt Endowment Fund was established. Thanks to this fund, each year the Ponoka Jubilee Library will receive disbursement funds to support the development of the children’s collection. A cozy corner has been created featuring colourful artwork by renowned Vancouver artist Zbigniew Kupczynski, and space for children to curl up with a book as they explore, learn, and imagine.

“This fund will ensure that generations of children in Ponoka will have access to not only a wonderful space within the library, but to the magic that can be found in the pages of a book,” said Erin Peden, RDDCF Executive Director.  “What a beautiful legacy to live on in Eva’s name.”

Feel free to check out Eva’s Children’s Reading Corner which is open now at the Ponoka Jubilee Library. Donations to support Eva’s Children’s Reading Corner will be accepted at the link below.