An early spring snowstorm was unable to keep Big Rapids residents indoors during the 2024 American Association of University Women’s used book sale.
The proceeds from the AAUW book sale go to a scholarship fund for Ferris students. This year, the organization is focusing on helping non-traditional students.
In December 2023, two students were offered $1,500 scholarships from the AAUW. Once this year’s scholarship committee prepares the application, the AAUW will post the application and spread the word to Ferris professors.
The collection of donated books begins in January for this annual fundraiser. With hundreds of books available for $1-$5, community members of all ages came to browse and support the cause on Friday and Saturday.
City commissioner and AAUW president Jennifer Cochran was pleased with the weekend’s turnout.
“People look forward to this book sale and they are hardcore book lovers, which we are very grateful for,” Cochran said. “It’s so gratifying to see the generational range. I am particularly gratified that we see so many young folks who still like books and want to hang onto them with [their] hands.”
This fundraiser was not conducted without the help of Ferris students themselves. Greek organizations such as Kappa Psi, the pharmaceutical fraternity, assisted in the setup and teardown effort on-site at the First United Methodist Church on Elm Street.
“I particularly like to reach out to the Ferris kids,” Cochran said. “They’re great help. I like to talk to them and find out what they’re studying and what their aspirations are. It’s a great way for the community and the university to intermingle.”
Debbie Newman of the AAUW worked as a co-chair of the book sale. She helped manage the intake and organization of book donations.
“I’m glad to get a book into anybody’s hands as a former teacher, especially young children,” Newman said. “I taught in a Title 1 school where some of my students had no books at home.”
In addition to students, the AAUW also decided to give back to teachers in the area this year.
“We have decided to let public school teachers come between noon and 2:00, and they’re allowed to take two free bags of books for the classrooms and their students,” Newman said.
Big Rapids community members Terri Henson and Esther Lelay, a French foreign exchange student at Big Rapids High School, walked through five inches of snow to purchase books from the AAUW.
“I bought eight books so far with this will be number nine,” Henson said. “There are so many different types of books.”
Lelay, who originally lived in France before moving to French Guiana, left the sale with three books. She would have bought more if she had space for them in her suitcase.
For more information on AAUW events and activities, visit their Facebook page.
C.E. C.F./RS