For years I have volunteered for the Colorado Academy Used Book Sale. If asked, I would tell you that I do it to help the Parent Association and our students. While that is true, I must admit I have an ulterior motive. (Please treat the insider information I am about to share with the utmost confidentiality.) When you work on the sales floor at the beginning of the sale, you get first dibs on loads of current book titles. I never leave with less than a couple dozen books, and you can’t beat the bargain basement prices.
My favorite part? The majority of my finds are titles recommended by the other volunteers working with me on any given day. In between helping students choose books during their class’s designated shopping time, the volunteers have a fun opportunity to get to know each other and talk about books they and their children have enjoyed. It’s like hanging out with an enthusiastic and well-read private shopper at the Tattered Cover for a few hours. Okay, many private shoppers. Even better!
Relationships with other families at CA are valuable tools in raising healthy, happy kids. The more people we have in our village, the better we can support each other, our children, and their classmates. It also makes this parenting journey more enjoyable. This makes me think of my friend Beth. She has a Seventh Grade son and I have a Seventh Grade daughter, so I didn’t have the chance to get to know her on the sidelines of sports or a Lower School birthday party. We happened to work together at the Used Book Sale many years ago, and now we make it a priority to sign up at the same time each year. She is wicked smart, tons of fun, and truly a walking book jacket. I value our friendship and have sought her out several times for parenting and career counsel over the years.
The Used Book Sale is this week, and I hope you’ll consider signing up for a volunteer shift. There are also plenty of opportunities to connect with other parents this spring—AP Exam Proctoring, Art Festival, Commencement, or other PA and school events. Our students and families at CA are incredibly warm and interesting people. Whether you are a seasoned volunteer or stepping in for the first time, I suspect you’ll enjoy your time as much as I have.