Pam Oler said her brother-in-law Sawyer McClinton was always a ray of sunshine. The 29-year-old would light up a room with his smile and make everyone who talked to him feel special and cared for. McClinton tragically took his own life last April after a long and hard-fought battle with substance use. But even though he is gone, his last wishes are being honoured by his family.
Oler announced that the second annual Sawyer McClinton Book Drive has started, fulfilling her brother-in-law's last wishes.
"He was in and out of recovery centers for a while and when he was in those recovery centers, he would turn to books, but the books in the recovery centers were just not very good, or there weren't enough books," she said. "He always said that one of his interests would be to one day to donate books, or do a book drive, to be able to donate books to these recovery centers, so that the people who were in recovery could have a selection to choose from."
The very first book drive that Oler hosted last year amassed over 600 books.
In the first-ever Sawyer McClinton Book Drive that was started last year, saw over 600 books donated (Photo provided by Pam Oler) "When we did the first book drive and we actually were able to put all of the books out on our kitchen table and our island. It was kind of overwhelming because we weren't expecting to get that many books. It definitely felt like we were continuing with Sawyer's legacy," Oler said. "He always wanted to pay it forward and so by doing this book drive, it really did feel like we are doing this for him on his behalf."
Oler explained that in reading books, especially motivational books Sawyer found a way to not only pass the time in the various recovery centers he stayed in, but he also found solace in them.
"It would help him to get out of his own mind, get out of his own experience and to and at the same time, educate himself on different topics," she said.
Oler is accepting books until July 18 and will be taking all the books that are donated to various treatment centres on July 20 in and around Calgary that have agreed to participate.
"If you have any books that are in good condition that you’d like to donate on Sawyer’s behalf, that would be amazing and much appreciated!" she wrote on a Facebook group. "Book genres we’re aiming for are fiction, non-fiction, historical, self-help, adventure, fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, biographies, thriller. We’re hoping these books will help others on their recovery journey."
One of her most cherished memories of her brother-in-law was a summer's day spent by the pool.
"He came with us and we just sat and talked while the kids played, and it was a really fun experience because he and I really got to bond and talk about our lives and what we were going through at the time," she said. "I think Sawyer made such an impact on our lives and on my life because even though he was so young, he really knew how to connect with you and how to communicate with you in a way that was impactful."
While his passing was heartbreaking for Oler and her family, she firmly believes that the book drive is not only a way to honour his memory, but it has also been a path to healing.
"It is a way for us to pour our grief into a good cause and to help other people that may have walked on the same path that Sawyer walked. In that sense we are, we are able to heal little by little."
Oler said that if he were alive today, McClinton would in one way or another be a part of the book drive.
"He was such an advocate for reading and for healing through books, so he would definitely be a part of what we're doing today."
Oler said that her brother-in-law was a globetrotter who fell in love with the Philippines.
"He was a big longboarder when he was a little bit younger. Dubstep music was some of his favourite music and reading, of course, he loved to read and he loved spending time with his family."
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