Record $16,414 raised by 20th Concordia Used Book Fair
Concordians sure love books. Some 4,000 people hunted for captivating reads while contributing money for student aid and scholarships by visiting the 20th Concordia Used Book Fair from October 2 to 4.
Held in the atrium of the Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Integrated Complex on Ste. Catherine St., the Concordia Used Book Fair raises an average of $11,000 for student scholarships and the Student Emergency and Food Fund each fall.
Volunteers took pride in organizing the 20th Concordia Used Book Fair. | All photos: Concordia University
“I’m happy to report that we surpassed our $15,000 target for 2016 — we raised a record $16,414,” says Sylvain-Jacques Desjardins, BA 97, director of communications for Advancement and Alumni Relations, whose team and other volunteers co-organized the 20th Concordia Used Book Fair.
“Since its foundation, this event has earned an impressive $176,400 and created a solid endowment for student scholarships,” says head volunteer Susan Hawke, BA 74, Concordia retiree and co-founder of the student fundraiser.
Hawke is staying on as a volunteer, yet passing on the organizational torch to Luke Quin, BA 07, a special projects writer with Advancement and Alumni Relations.
“We are grateful to Susan for her leadership and her tireless efforts throughout the years,” says Quin. “We’re also happy that Susan will continue to volunteer along with a large cohort of Concordians she’s engaged in this fundraiser over the years.”
Partners in fundraising
The Concordia Used Book Fair was a success largely because of the muscle lent by various teams from the Office of the Vice-President, Services, specifically Distribution and Transportation Services, Hospitality Concordia and Security.
Craig Beemer, head coach of the Stingers men’s rugby team (centre with baseball cap) and players help with the heavy lifting at Concordia Used Book Fair.
Recreation and Athletics provided the strength of the Stingers men’s rugby team who did much of the heavy lifting for the fair’s set-up and take-down.
About 75 additional people, many of them students leveraging experience for Concordia’s co-curicular record, volunteered from Sunday, October 2, through Tuesday, October 4.
“We thank the International Student's Office and LIVE Centre for helping recruit these volunteers,” says Hawke.
Several retirees gave of their time as well as staff from the Concordia Library. Ellie Hummel, Concordia’s chaplain and coordinator of the Multi-faith and Spirituality Centre, lent her support with members of her team.
Going forward, the book fair will continue to be promoted as a fundraiser with the tagline: “Buy second-hand books to support first-rate students.”
The increased emphasis on philanthropy resonated with shoppers, since a pre-sale offering first dibs on books in exchange for a $5 donation brought in an extra $600.
“Our sincere thanks to everyone who took pride in making this fundraiser a success,” says Desjardins.