In honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, Mountain Lake PBS is proud to announce the further expansion of the Hallock Giving Library, which received an outpouring of financial support following the creation of The Tristan Fund. The Fund was created by Mountain Lake PBS along with Tristan’s parents, Thom and Jackie Hallock, after their son passed away as an infant in February. The funds raised are used to purchase books to be given away, for free, to children throughout the region. Additionally, books purchased by the Fund will be given to parents with children in pediatric palliative care and in the NICU at UVM Medical Center, so that they can read to their children, just like Thom and Jackie did during their time with Tristan.
Formerly known as the Giving Library, the Hallock Giving Library, is now set to expand its impact and offerings to children and families thanks to the generosity of the community who came together in support of the Tristan Fund. Gifts include a remarkable $10,000 gift from Champlain National Bank along with several large gifts from individuals and local businesses.
Books purchased by the Fund have already started to be given out at community events, including at the 2023 Mayor’s Cup and several children’s events at Mountain Lake PBS. Additionally, several boxes of specialty books were donated to the NICU and pediatric palliative care at UVM Medical Center, based on the suggestions of the doctors and nurses serving those patients. Books were also donated to Plattsburgh-based Healing Grace in support of their infant loss efforts.
“Jackie and I are truly honored by how our family, friends, and the community rallied around The Tristan Fund after we lost our son in February. Knowing that his short life sparked a legacy that will get books into the hands of children who would have been Tristan’s classmates and friends, means so much to us,” Thom Hallock said. “We hope, in a small way, these books spark a love of reading at a time in children’s lives when reading skills are crucial to their education, setting them up for success.”
“It has been a privilege to partner with Thom and Jackie in the creation of The Tristan Fund. We feel deeply honored that Mountain Lake PBS can play a role in such a meaningful initiative that will have a lasting impact on our community,” said Bill McColgan, CEO of Mountain Lake PBS.
Gifts to The Tristan Fund may be made on the Mountain Lake PBS website. https://mountainlake.org/hallock-giving-library/
The next book giveaway will be part of the PBS KIDS Play Date at Mountain Lake PBS on October 14th at 1 PM.