Event benefits Red Cross

The 29th annual American Red Cross Book Fair, located at the Monroe County Fairgrounds’ Commercial Building West, will sell used items starting at 9 a.m. today. The fair will continue until Tuesday.

Sue Gulley, executive director of the Monroe County Chapter of the American Red Cross said they were able to raise $30,000 dollars in her first year.

“I started seven years ago,” Gulley said. “I took a look at the book fair as a special event and decided that this was something important. We have literally dozens of businesses who help support us by donations, and we have more than 300 volunteers helping us out. We really need to be the best stewards of this fantastic event and all the donations.”

About 100,000 gently used books, CDs, videos, DVDs, cassettes, records, games, puzzles, maps, sheet music and other items are available for purchase.

Collectibles and signed books can be found in a separate section.

All proceeds from the book fair benefit Red Cross disaster relief, service to military families and emergency preparedness services in Monroe and Owen counties.

“Tuesday is our community day, running from 9 a.m. to noon,” Gulley said. “Everything leftover is free.”

For more information, visit http://www.monroe-redcross.or/news_bookfair_history.aspx.