Westfield Athenaeum to host toy and book sale

Date: 10/30/2014

WESTFIELD – Bill Westerlind, president of the Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum, has “loved books” since he was young so he relishes the opportunities he now has to help raise funds and awareness for the organization.

“I have always had a fascination for books and libraries,” he said during a recent late afternoon interview with Reminder Publications at the Athenaeum. 

Westerlind, a business analyst with C & S Wholesale Grocers, added he knows the “importance of literacy, education and training for everyone in the community.”

Westerlind and the other “Friends” have a full agenda this fall, including a new fundraiser – a Children’s Toy and Book Sale.

“The sale is similar to our spring book sale but will exclusively feature children’s toys and books in the Lang Auditorium,” Cher Collins, Athenaeum director, added.

Westerlind noted that through “trial and error experiments,” the Friends group saw a demand for children’s books and expanded the idea to include toys.

“It’s a great fit just before the holidays,” said Collins.

All proceeds from the sale will support programs and services of the Athenaeum. The sale will be open to the public Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A special Friends Preview Night is planned Nov. 12 from 4 to 8 p.m.

“If you are not a Friends member, you can join that evening,” Westerlind said.

Collins said that children’s books or toys in good, clean condition that are appropriate for re-sale can be dropped off Nov. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., or Nov. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Hope Button, chairperson of the event, and her league of volunteers will be on hand to accept donations and organize them as soon as they arrive. During the sale days, Westfield High School’s Key Club and National Honor Society will be lending a hand to assist the Friends group as part of a community service project.

Toys especially welcomed include DVD’s, complete puzzles and board games, Legos, action figures, dolls and doll houses, and educational games.

“The age range is birth to teens,” said Westerlind.

Collins added they cannot accept baby equipment (high chairs, walkers, car seats) or plush animals.

“We’re excited about this new sale because it is based on feedback we received about the desire for children’s books,” said Collins.

 Westerlind noted that all funds raised from the Friends group assists the Athenaeum to purchase what is needed that is not in the operational budget.

Membership dues for the Friends group are tax-deductible and for more information, visit www.westath.org or call 568-7833. Area residents interested in serving as vice president of the group can also call Collins.

For up-to-date events sponsored by the Friends group, visit the website and click on Friends of the Library.