Blizzard of bargain books blows into Timaru
Five compilers, 30-plus sale-time volunteers, 450-plus banana boxes, $14,000 a year: the numbers tell the tale of an enduring fundraiser.
Wilbur Smith, Patricia Cornwall, Danielle Steel and Dan Brown are likely to add to the statistics when the annual Red Cross book sale opens on Saturday.
Book sale convener Janette Clarke said about 450 banana boxes worth of books - ‘‘I haven’t counted’’ - would be on sale at the Red Cross Hall.
A group of five volunteers had worked together throughout the year, gathering and organising all the books, Clarke said.
‘‘When it comes to the book sale, I have a team of people, 30 plus, come in and set up the hall, man the book sale over the weekend, and help with clean up.’’
In among the ubiquitous Smith, Cornwell and Steel novels were a few more unique titles including Penguins A Close Encounter and one of J.K Rowling’s lesser known books, The Casual Vacancy.
There was at least one copy of Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. Perhaps more than just one.
‘‘They always turn up, and we still put them out, and they sell.’’
The sale has been running for about 40 years, and usually raised about $14,000.
Clarke said the money went to the South Canterbury branch of the Red Cross, and was spent on things like defibrillators, first aid courses and swimming lessons for children, or wherever there was a need.
Along with copies of Mills and Boons, biographies of famous people, and children’s books, there will also be stacks of puzzles, jig saws, records, DVDs and CDs.
‘‘We do have books we think are a little bit special,’’ she said, referring to a gardening book which looked to be in good condition, priced at $10.
‘‘We get a lot of paper backs,’’ she said.
‘‘Gardening and cooking go well, craft and sport go well, too.’’
People from all over the district donated to the sale, and everything was sorted into categories, she said.
‘‘So there is something everyone.’’
The sale will be held at the Red Cross Hall, 18 Bank St, Timaru from 9am until 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, and 9am until 3pm on Monday. for