Birchway Niagara’s biggest annual fundraiser is back next month for the 44th edition.
The Book Riot, with some 100,000 books, puzzles, games, CDs and DVDs, will be at the Gale Centre June 6-11 in Niagara Falls. Formerly known as the Women’s Place Book Riot, the community sale returns as “The Birchway Book Riot,” reflecting Women’s Place’s recent announcement that the agency has now changed its name to be more inclusive.
This volunteer-driven event draws over 4,000 book lovers each year.
“We have such amazing volunteers,” said Birchway's Director of Development and Stewardship Amanda Braet in a news release. “Without them, this event simply wouldn’t happen. In addition to our incredible event committee and the hundreds of people who come out to set up, run and take down the sale, there is also a core group of 14 volunteers who get together almost every week throughout the year so that every box of books that arrives at the sale is already sorted into the correct category.
"One of them is so committed to making the Book Riot a success that even he drives from Hamilton each week to help out.”
Organizers hope that the volunteers’ hard work will pay off by raising over $100,000 in support of Birchway’s shelter and outreach services, which help hundreds of survivors of domestic violence in South Niagara every year to build safer futures.
Birchway Executive Director Jennifer Gauthier says funds that the Book Riot raises have never been more urgently needed.
“Last year, we added ten new safe beds to South Niagara to help meet the growing need for domestic violence services,” she saaid. “Unfortunately, none of these additional beds currently receive operational funding from the government. This means that we are relying on the support of our community, and on the book lovers who come to this event each year, to keep these spaces available when our clients need them most.”
- Most items at the sale are $3, and shoppers will have many opportunities to find a great deal.
- Tuesday, June 6 (4 p.m.- 9 p.m.) Pre-sale – $10 admission
- Wednesday, June 7 (10 a.m.-9 p.m.) Regular sale day
- Thursday, June 8 (10 a.m.-9 p.m.) Daily special: Buy two CDs/DVDs, get one free
- Friday, June 9 (10 a.m.-9 p.m.) Daily special: Children/youth titles – Buy two, get one free
- Saturday, June 10 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) Daily special: Hardcovers – Buy two, get one free!
- Sunday, June 11 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) Bag Day – Fill a bag for $5 or three bags for $10
Further details can also be found on the agency’s event page at www.birchway.ca/bookriot.
