Skevington’s building in Ngapara St came to mind when Rotarians were searching for a place big enough to hold them, boxes of books and the crates books were sorted into ready for transport to Alexandra’s Memorial Hall where the sale was held.
Mr Willyams, a former Dunstan High School teacher, said the Alexandra manager was a former student who was quick to agree to Sir’s request.
Joking aside, Skevington’s had been very generous, he said.
Collection points had been set up slightly later than usual due to the hold up in finding a warehouse, but donations had been flooding in.
Every Rotary member would, one way or another, be involved in the book sale, which had been running for about 36 years, Mr Willyams said.
A core group of 10 or 12 sorted the books into categories while others collected books from the drop-off points. More members would be involved in setting up and selling books during the sale.
Some large collections of books had been offered this year. People moving from family homes to smaller, retirement village properties had donated a lifetime of volumes, he said.
Profits from the book sale, which last year raised more than $31,000, went to the Alexandra community, with the exception of $5000 for the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust. The balance would go to projects including a fund to replace the St John health shuttle when needed, the Alexandra Fire Service for communication and specialist equipment for civil defence emergencies, and a $2000 scholarship for the Dunstan High School dux.
The Alexandra Rotary book sale starts on January 1.
