AAUW Book Sale raises money for scholarships for area women
90-year-old event to be held at Fox River Mall begins Oct. 15.
It’s almost here! The 89th Annual Book Sale, sponsored by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), kicks off Oct. 15. The sale runs for eleven days: Oct. 15-18; Oct. 22-25; and Oct. 29-31.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays; and noon to 5 on Sundays.
The Appleton branch of the AAUW has sponsored the book sale since 1936. It raised more than $60,000 last year and provided scholarships for Meghan Bresnyan, Karlyn Brockman, Erin Hartman, Sophia Heming, Lauren Linstedt, Madison Lortsher, Ava Ratchman. Vicki Rzenthowski, Selia Shelley, and Audrey VanDerLoop.
To be eligible, a woman must be a graduate of a high school in the Greater Fox Cities area or be a current resident of the Greater Fox Cities for at least 10 years. She must be entering her junior or senior year in an accredited college, university, or technical college or be enrolled in a graduate school program. Complete scholarship eligibility requirements are listed on the AAUW-Appleton website.
This year’s sale will be held at the Fox River Mall and will occupy 7,000 square feet across two retail spaces on the north end of the mall near the former Sears store. The most convenient entrance is the Mall Entrance to the right of Target.
Most books are priced at just $1 or $2, with some special or vintage items marked higher. There are “bonus days” toward the end of the sale, featuring half-price deals and a "fill a bag for $5" offer. Everything will be free on the final day, Oct. 31, from 9 to noon.
The Book Sale Committee, consisting of Mary Grace, Ruth Henschel, Betsy Mintern, Donna Cook, Laurie McCulloch, Marian Moberg, Stephanie Malaney, Trish Brehm, and Laurie McCulloch, has the process down.
It all started in May with more than 2,870 boxes of boxes donated from across the Valley and stored in the garages of AAUW members. Members met several days each week at the mall locations to sort thousands of books by category.
A portion of the book sale profits supports the AAUW's national mission of advancing gender equity for women and girls. The organization prioritizes issues such as fair pay and economic opportunity, removing barriers in education, and advocating for relevant public policies.
The Appleton branch, founded in 1913, offers a diverse range of activities beyond the book sale, including travel events, various book and study groups, Mahjong, and bridge. New members are welcome.
