Odd, old books add up

For over 40 years, the Wolfville branch of the Canadian Federation of University Women has held a book aale each spring. This sale is well respected in the local area - and also attracts many book dealers from throughout the province. This year’s sale will be held April 4 and 5 at the Lions’ Hall on Elm Street, Wolfville.

From a very small beginning in 1968, the sale has grown. Last year’s sale realized $14,166. CFUW Wolfville has been successful in raising approximately $260,000, with the majority of the funds going back to the community.

In 2007/ 2008, a substantial number of donations were designated to organizations and/ or groups such as the Annapolis Valley Regional Library, the Annapolis Valley Regional Science Fair, the Annapolis Valley Music Festival, Apple Tree Landing Children’s Centre, The Flower Cart (The Flower Cart has assisted the club by taking books that are not appropriate for the sale and shredding all the paper. This provides funds for The Flower Cart as they sell the shredded paper to Pets Unlimited), the Valley Regional Hospital Foundation, The Gambia Scout Project and a scholarship in Women’s Studies at Acadia University.

In addition, the organization has reached out to the community through donations of appropriate books to Kingstec’s culinary department, Apple Tree Landing and the Wolfville Children’s Centre. The IODE and EKM Auxiliary in Port Williams have also benefited from donations of paperbacks they, in turn, sell in stores in the area. Money raised by the EKM Auxiliary are used to make personal care kits for patients who have had to be treated in the emergency department of VRH.

Through these efforts, the CFUW book sale continues to be a vital part of the community.

In order to continue its success, community members are encouraged to check out their bookshelves, closets, basements and donate unwanted books. Encyclopedias, National Geographics, and Reader’s Digest Condensed Books are not accepted. Anyone interested in contributing may contact 542-2352.