More books wanted for Lions

Harbour City Lions want more books for their sale. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

They want your books.

Pre-loved books, books that are still loved a wee bit and books that could be loved again.

They want that box of books stowed in the garage 20 years because often they hide a gem. 'Some lovely books that we can sell and are of real value,” says Joan Forester of the Tauranga Harbour City Lions.

There's that dusty old tome on the book shelf that no-one's thumbed for eons that could turn a dollar or two for the Lions and bring delight to a new owner.

It's the Lion's annual book fair – a long, demanding process of turning old books into money for very worthwhile causes around the city – Homes of Hope, Youthline, Coastguard, and the mat over the sand at Mount Maunganui so the disabled can get right to the water's edge.

'Last year we raised $30,000,” says Lion Christine Currie. 'Every cent went to a worthy cause.

'The money comes in at the fair and it goes right on out again to where it's needed.”

The annual book fair isn't for four months, not until the weekend of November 10.

It's open on Friday night 5-9pm and again Saturday and Sunday 8am-5pm.

But the work starts right here and right now. The Lions need books, thousands of them, tens of thousands of them. Because the fair at its new big venue at the Tauranga Racecourse will be the biggest yet. Books can be dropped off at four points around town – the furniture shop ‘Living Quarters' in Bethlehem Town Centre, Liquor King at Brookfield, Payless Plastics in Cameron Rd and the Mobil service station at 490 Cameron Rd.

'Start dropping off your books now,” says Christine. 'We are waiting.”

The book fair, like most ventures, had humble beginnings. 'We started 12 years ago in a packing shed in Tauriko,” says Christine.

'We raised $2500. The next year it was at a little room at the Coastguard. We have grown tenfold.”

And their ability to assist local causes has grown commensurately. 'Our sale is known for its high-quality books. We offer very good books at very competitive prices.”

For more information call Andrea (07) 544 9929.

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