Following a successful “mini-sale” this September in its new home, Berks Book Bonanza distributed a total of $40,000 to the Friends of Berks County Public Libraries and Reading Branch of American Association of University Women.
The annual fundraiser laid dormant for several years since its final sale at the Berkshire Mall in 2021. Without a place to call home, organizers fervently searched across Berks County to secure a location big enough to support one of the area’s largest book sales. The Berks County commissioners extended a helping hand by offering substantial space at their South Campus location in Mohnton.
September marked the organization’s first official sale at the Berks County South Campus building—one that pleased Berks Book Bonanza board members.
“I will be the first to admit that I didn’t think we could pull it off,” said Judy Ellsworth, vice president of the Berks Book Bonanza board. “Trying to collect, organize, and prepare for a sale of this magnitude in less than four months was too much to ask for, but I shouldn’t have doubted our volunteers or the fantastic people of Berks County.”
Originally branded as a mini-sale, organizers were unsure how many donations they would receive in just a few months’ time. They didn’t expect for Berks County donors to arrive in full force, supplying enough donations to fully stock the sale in only three months.
“We do our best to organize an outstanding sale for all to enjoy, but the truth is Book Bonanza is only possible because of the generosity from those in the community,” Ellsworth commented. “Our supply is entirely dependent upon community contributions, and it amazes me to see everyone come together for such a wonderful cause.”
Berks Book Bonanza will reopen its donation collection period beginning Monday, January 6, and will run on a Monday/Tuesday weekly schedule from 9 am – Noon both days until Tuesday, March 11 with the exception of Monday holidays. Interested donors should also confer with the Governor Mifflin School District’s site (gmsd.org) for any closures due to inclement weather. Expanded collection hours to be announced later this spring.
Volunteers will be on hand to accept donations at the rear entrance of Berks County South Campus located at 400 E. Wyomissing Ave. in Mohnton. A complete list of acceptable donations is available on the Berks Book Bonanza website, www.berksbookbonanza.org.
Berks Book Bonanza is made possible through community donations and the efforts of its volunteers. Funds raised from the annual gently-used book sale go to the Friends of Berks County Public Libraries and Reading Branch of American Association of University Women (AAUW) who support the public libraries of Berks County and providing scholarships to women.
