WESTFIELD-A Teddy Bear Clinic will be an added bonus to this fall’s Children’s Toy & Book Sale, hosted by the Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum.
Sale hours are Nov. 17 from noon to 8 p.m., Nov. 18 from noon to 8 p.m., Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Nov. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A special Friends Preview Night is slated from 4 to 8 p.m. Nov. 16 and is open to members of the Friends group.
“Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum members with current paid memberships are invited to preview and purchase books and toys before the toy and book sale opens to the general public,” said Bill Westerlind, president, Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum.
Westerlind added that membership forms will be available at the door on preview night for anyone wishing to join the Friends group or renew one’s membership.
The new feature, a Teddy Bear Clinic, is planned Nov. 19 from noon to 3 p.m.
“Children and parents are encouraged to bring in any beloved stuffed animal that has been so thoroughly loved that it may be in need of some tender loving care,” said Westerlind. “The clinic and medical attention (repairs) are free.”
Another special event is “Educator Night” which is observed during the preview hours.
“Local teachers and educators will be invited to shop along with Friends members before the sale opens to the public,” said Westerlind. “The idea of a special educator preview was born at our sale last November after we observed so many teachers from city schools and surrounding communities buying shopping bags full of books for their classrooms at our spring book sale events. The feedback has been very positive.”
Westerlind said each teacher will receive a special discount shopping certificate toward their entire purchase.
“A valid educational institution ID must be presented at the door that evening,” said Westerlind.
Westerlind noted that for the first time for this popular sale, the event will be conducted in the former Carson Center.
“The Westfield Athenaeum is undergoing some major, extensive and much needed renovation activity, limiting the availability of the Lang Auditorium,” said Westerlind, adding that the sale will be conducted at 20 Broad St. Curbside parking is available in front of the facility, with additional designated parking in the Stop & Shop lot.
The Friends members are still in need of gently used, “very clean” children’s books, toys, games, puzzles, sporting goods, CD’s and DVD’s. Donations can be dropped off in the collection boxes located just inside the main entrance to the Athenaeum any time during regular library hours through Nov. 16.
Residents with sizable donations can call the library at (413) 568-7833 to arrange for a pick up.
Clothing, plush animals or baby furniture are excluded from this sale.
Additionally, on Nov. 5 and Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the Friends will be offering a curbside drop-off service in front of the Athenaeum.
“Members of the Friends will be available to collect your donations from the designated curbside drop off parking spaces so you don’t even have to get out of your car,” said Westerlind.
At press time, the Friends do not have a goal they hope to raise, however, they would like to exceed last fall’s $2,000 that was raised.
“All items will be priced to sell,” said Westerlind. “We know many people have come to rely on our toy and book sale for holiday gift items or to donate to other nonprofit organizations in the city so we price everything to reflect outstanding value.”
Acceptance of e-payments was a “great success” at the April book sale and will also be offered at this month’s sale, as well as VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
Working behind the scenes to ensure a successful event include Donna King and Helene Calvanese, co-chairs, along with Robert Hullivan who has been instrumental in working with the members of the First Congregational Church to secure the building and set up selling spaces. Also, Joan Machacek has been active in arranging for volunteers to work at the event. If anyone is interested in working one of the days, contact Machacek via email at [email protected].
“We are extraordinarily grateful to the wonderful leaders of the First Congregational Church for allowing us to use the old town hall building,” said Westerlind.
Westerlind explained that the Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization with a mission to support the programs and services of the Athenaeum. Since its inception in 1996, the Friends have raised more than $165,000 to support programs including the Museum Pass Program, First Thursday Concert Series, books for Boys & Girls Reading Clubs, children’s and adult summer reading programs, Boys & Girls Building Blocks Club, computers and new technologies.
“A significant amount of the funds raised during this sale support the literacy efforts of the Boys & Girls Library including the wildly popular summer reading programs,” said Westerlind.
All proceeds raised from this sale and other fundraising activities by the Friends group support the free programs and services of the Athenaeum. Although the Athenaeum is a public library,it is not a municipal department or government agency.
“The library does receive city funding which covers the day-to-day operations of the library but much for the programming is funded by the Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum,” said Westerlind, adding that without the support of the Friends, many of the free programs and services would be eliminated or sharply reduced.
“Supporting this event will support the magnificent Westfield Athenaeum,” he said.
