Hillsdale holiday book sale tally tops $2700

Today's Hillsdale Alliance benefit book sale brought out throngs of local book lovers as well as numerous area book dealers.

When the doors opened at 10 a.m. at the old Estby gas station, a line of at least 30 bibliophiles was waiting for first crack at some 5,000 books donated by the community over the past two months at the Hillsdale Farmers Market.

The preliminary tally of money raised by the sale is $2700. A few books that we tagged as being having extraordinary value didn't sell and may be sold on-line or to Powell's.

With few exceptions, the sale books sold for between 50 cents and $2. Buyers agreed they were getting bargains, and many asked when the next sale would be. If we can find a location (the gas station is slated for demolition), it will likely be the last Sunday in July, the date for the annual Pancake Breakfast.

Meanwhile, the chili feed accompanying today's sale brought in more than $300 for the Hillsdale Business and Professional Association.

The first Hillsdale benefit book sale last summer grossed $3700 for the member organizations of the Hillsale Alliance.

Particularly heartening at today's sale was seeing children excited about their purchases.

Most of all, the event, which involved hours of volunteer time, adds to our sense of community.

Book sale proceeds will go (likely through a Hillsdale Community Foundation) to the Hillsdale Neighborhood Association, our three public schools, the Hillsdale Farmers Market, SW Trails, the Hillsdale Business and Professional Association, Neighborhood House, the library, the Hillsdale Emergency Team and Hillsdale Votes.