Book sale is back with high hopes for fundraiser
The book sale, dubbed the Big Book Bash, is back after a four-year hiatus forced by the pandemic.
The book sale, which usually takes place every other year as a fundraiser for Station on the Green, is a popular event for book-lovers and raises thousands of dollars to support the Station on the Green’s annual expenses.
“The book sale is hard work but it’s fun,” said coordinator Marg Purkis. It takes many volunteers and hundreds of hours to pull off the sale. Volunteers sort through books to make sure only the highest quality items make it to the sale table, maintaining the high standard of quality that the sale is known for.
The effort is in support of the Station on the Green, which is a community- built facility that is managed by a board of volunteers who rely on income from fees and donations.
“The Station is becoming a beautiful gathering place,” said board chair Linda Coulter.
The community centre, a replica of Creemore’s train station, is celebrating its 20th year in operation and is available for rent. It is used for events, weekly social gatherings, and is the host of the Creemore Farmers’ Market.
“It is important to maintain it because it is such a vital part of the community,” said Purkis.
Volunteers have been receiving a lot of really good quality donations of current fiction, a sure sign that people have been doing a lot of reading over the pandemic, said Purkis.
Contemporary fiction is the biggest seller at the September event but donations of good quality non-fiction, such as cookbooks, craft books, biographies, movies, games and puzzles are also being accepted.
Volunteers ask that people make sure they are donating clean, gently- used items. All other items have to be taken to the landfill, which cuts into the sale’s profits.
Purkis said she is excited to finally bring back the sale, and the crew feels very fortunate that people are making the time and effort to donate.
Collection takes place weekdays at the Creemore Curling Club from 10 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are welcome to call Marg Purkis at 705-466-2681, or just show up, including students looking to accumulate volunteer hours.
Weekend drop-offs will be accepted in a bin at 5 Caroline Street East. Contact: Beth Harte at 905-717-6123.
The book sale will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24.
