Red Cross hopes to sell 80,000 books during weekend fair

Boxes of books are stacked high along the walls at the Monroe County Fairgrounds Commercial Building West, and volunteers are working feverishly to sort all the remaining piles of books for the 25th Annual Red Cross Book Fair.

The Red Cross will host its annual book fair to support mission activities from Thursday to Oct. 7. Students are encouraged to volunteer or just come and buy a great book.

This year more than 80,000 books, hundreds of CDs, DVDs, videos, cassettes and records will be available for a low cost. There is even a clearance section for those interested in getting the most for their money.

“The book fair funds all the local mission activities in Owen and Monroe county,” said Sue Gulley, executive director of the Monroe County Red Cross Chapter. 

The book fair provides funds for local disaster relief and preparation, full-time service to military and their families, lifesaving skills training and blood services, Gulley said. Not only is the book fair a great way to help the Red Cross with its local missions, but it is a way to find cheap books and multimedia, organizers said.

“If you only have a small amount of money, you can get more for your money.” said Pat Kingsbury, Book Fair chairperson and longtime volunteer for the Red Cross.
Prices vary each day, ending with free admission, half-price bag-it day and finally a free book day. The books are modestly priced, and with the addition of a clearance sale, everyone can find a book and save money at the same time, Kingsbury said.
“Every day you can come and get your year’s supply of books,” Gulley said.
To make the book fair a success, volunteers work year-round.

“It’s 12 months, every day,” Gulley said. “People are always bringing in their books. Even now it is not too late to volunteer.”

Last year 341 people volunteered. This year the Red Cross hopes to draw even more volunteers. Gulley said this year students from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, various fraternities, local community groups and the Red Cross Club are committing their time.

Red Cross Club president and IU senior Eric Baker plans to help out with the book fair. He has helped with the book fair for three years.

“The best part is helping people,” Baker said. “It all goes back to Monroe County and the families that need it.”

The book fair is a great way to help out families of Monroe County.
“If you are not able to donate blood or volunteer, this is one way anyone can support all the Red Cross efforts,” Gulley said.