Books, Brownies, and Beans is back! Celebrating its 20th year, this popular used book sale is among the largest one-day used book sales in the South Sound. All proceeds benefit three local nonprofit organizations: Interfaith Works, ASHHO Cultural Community Center, and OlyEcosystems. To date, the event has raised more than $100,000 to benefit Thurston County nonprofits.
Books, Brownies, and Beans takes place on Saturday, October 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation (OUUC). The event is free, and visitors are encouraged to bring their own tote bags. Masks are welcome, but not required. Sponsored by the Olympian Unitarian Universalist Congregation (OUUC), the sale uses the entire church building. There will be ten thousand gently used books. Shoppers can stroll through rooms overflowing with books organized by subject matter and particular interest. “We’ve got beautiful, donated books, from Pulitzer Prize winners to children’s books. Plus, we’ve got brownies, entertainment, and coffee,” said Sally Alhadeff, event co-chair. “It’s a family event with budget-friendly pricing,” she added.
The first iteration of the First Unitarian Church of Olympia was established in 1872 and lasted until 1893. Then, in the fall of 1952, a small band of like-minded folk founded the Unitarian Fellowship of Olympia, which went on to become the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation. 2002, marked the 50th year of a modern Unitarian presence in Olympia. OUUC is a member congregation of the Pacific Northwest District (PNWD) of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). “Our Bylaws state that the purpose of OUUC shall be to demonstrate the principles of a free faith,” said Christine Parke, Co-Chair of Books, Brownies & Beans. “Like other religious organizations in the county, we offer services and programs throughout the week. Our doors are open to all and OUUC has a strong emphasis on social justice. We were an early supporter of Camp Quixote and have provided funding and volunteer time to many programs and organizations in Thurston County that support people in need.”
You know about awards season when The Oscars, The Emmy, and The Tony are among the award shows available for viewing. You may not know that there are several volunteer awards for you to nominate yourself or a friend.
Washington State Volunteer Service Award Serve Washington has opened nominations for the new Washington State Volunteer Service Awards to honor the many types of formal and informal service and volunteerism happening in communities everywhere in our state. These awards replace the Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards, which were offered in 2020. “Serve Washington was in charge of coordinating that effort,” said Rachel Friederich, Communications Coordinator. “We took a pause to redesign these awards to make participation more accessible by removing barriers such as time and costs associated with travel and taking local communities’ preferences for volunteer recognition into account. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. December 22, 2023. “We believe volunteerism promotes bonds across races, cultures, beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences,” said Friederich. “We’re committed to ensuring these awards reflect the diversity of Washington and that nomination opportunities are equitable to all volunteers.”
Celebrate an Outstanding Volunteer in Your Life - Do you know a remarkable volunteer who dedicates their time and efforts to uplift their community through their service? Honor their contributions by submitting a nomination for the Daily Point of Light Award. If chosen, honorees are highlighted nationally on the Points of Light website and across social media channels. For more details, click here.
Nominate Someone You Know to be a 2024 Women of Worth - L'Oréal Paris USA once again joins forces with Points of Light as it launches its 2024 Women of Worth program. Members of the 2024 L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth are an esteemed network of philanthropic leaders who will receive $25,000 in funding, as well as mentorship, as well as a national platform to amplify and grow their grassroots nonprofits to make an even greater impact in the lives of others. For more details, click here.
If you are looking for a kickstart to your volunteer award nominations, here are just a few places where you might start.
Concern for Animals (CFA) is primarily volunteer-operated and depends on the dedication of animal welfare advocates in the community to keep their programs running smoothly. Right now, they need volunteers in the following positions:
If either of these interests you (and you have the fortitude to not take every animal home) go to https://bit.ly/cfa-volunteerform or email opc.cfa@gmail.com.
The "Friends of the Centennial Rose Garden", under the sponsorship of the Olympia Tumwater Foundation has a mission to maintain and improve the Centennial Rose Garden located on the grounds of the Schmidt House in Tumwater. Since 1989, the Washington Centennial Year, the Olympia Rose Society has maintained the Garden. Sadly, the Society dissolved in May 2023, and subsequently a partnership was formed between the Foundation and Thurston County Master Gardeners to continue carrying out this mission. The group is in the process of putting the “garden to bed” for winter, which involves cutting the bushes down and removing diseased rose bushes. “I am organizing a work party to remove plants that have crown gall,” said Gary Ritchie, Chair of the Friends of the Centennial Rose Garden. “Many of these bushes are perfectly good and volunteers are welcome to take them home and plant them if you wish.” In addition, four rose bushes (called ‘Rosie the Riveter’) are in pots that need to be transplanted into the garden. According to Ritchie, this will be a good opportunity to learn how to plant roses. If you are interested in supporting this process, contact Ritchie via the Olympia Tumwater Foundation, click here.
The South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group is gearing up for their 23rd year at Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail (KCST) and they are looking for docents. “Our amazing volunteer docents are what make this program possible,” said Megan Brady
Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail Coordinator. “Some docents lead 1.5-hour weekday tours for school groups and other docents’ staff 3-hour shifts on the weekends to answer questions on public access days. Some do both!” Anyone interested in being a docent should attend the training on Saturday, October 28th, which is required for new docents. and the training includes: “This year, we’ll also be asking you to help us schedule our docent appreciation party while at the Training,” said Brady. “Apologies that we didn’t get to do it last year! If anyone missed out on swag last year, we’ll be bringing everything we have to the Training”. If you’d like to volunteer as a docent, please RSVP to attend the training by emailing kennedycreek@spsseg.org. For more information about KCST please click this link.
If you know of a nonprofit that is doing something great, celebrating a success, needs some outstanding volunteers, or hosting an event, let me know! This column (aside from a little education) celebrates nonprofits!
Mary Beth Harrington, CVA (Certified Volunteer Administrator) lives in Tumwater. She travels the country speaking at conferences and to individual organizations articulating issues facing nonprofits. Send your ideas to her at MaryBeth@theJOLTnews.com
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