Cars line up for return of Book Riot
Women’s Place of South Niagara fundraiser back, with a different format
It’s not the Book Riot you remember, but it was the one needed in 2021.
The annual fundraiser, forced to cancel last year because of the pandemic, is back in a modified form throughout the summer. Every Sunday, except Aug. 1, readers can purchase a small or large box of books with a different theme each week.
It started with fiction last week, and continued Sunday with non-fiction books.
Drivers can choose between a large ($20) or small ($10) “mystery” box, which gets placed in their trunk.
The show, which started in 1977, benefits Women’s Place of South Niagara, which offers shelter for abused women and children. Because the event took last year off, Women’s Place director of development and stewardship Amanda Braet said there was a backlog of more than 3,000 books stored in a warehouse.
“We did some thinking and came up with this idea that’s safe, will get the books out into the community and we’ll make the money we do need,” she said.
Pre-pandemic, the Book Riot was raising about $70,000 every year for Women’s Place. An enormously popular event among collectors and readers, it helps fund two shelters, Nova House in Niagara Falls and Serenity Place in Welland.
Braet said the first weekend for this year’s event, even held in the rain, saw plenty of cars pull up to the Apple Self Storage warehouse on Kent Street. It raised $4,000.
The second day, held after Saturday’s heavy downpour, saw a steady stream of vehicles.
Each box of books is prepacked according to that week’s theme. Next week will be children and youth books, followed by CDS, puzzles, DVDS and games on Aug. 8.
Themes for the Aug. 15, 22 and 29 sales are still to be announced.
In addition to the Book Riot, Women’s Place is holding an online 50/50 raffle with a minimum $2,500 jackpot. Tickets are on sale July 19 to Aug. 31.
Braet said it was important to raise funds again for Women’s Place after the past year and a half.
“The pandemic created a really challenging time for women and children experiencing domestic abuse, so our services are needed more than ever.”’
She anticipates the Book Riot returning to Gale Centre next year in its classic format.
“We miss it just as much as the community,” she said. “Just itching to get back. We definitely want to be in-person next year. We have high hopes.”