Annual Book Sale Suspended
For 50 years, since the founding of the AAUW McLean Area Branch, an annual used-book sale was our chief fundraising activity. The proceeds enabled us to donate many thousands of dollars to fund scholarships for women returning to college.
During the Covid epidemic we had to put the book sale on hold because of safety concerns. Unfortunately, since then we have not been able to resume the event for lack of local donated space needed to collect, sort, and store the roughly 50,000 books we received each year.
Fundraising for Scholarships to Continue
We plan to continue awarding scholarships, and are raising money for the program through a number of smaller fundraising efforts. The latest events include a used-jewelry sale, a wine tasting, and a holiday online cooking class. Follow the announcements on the home page of our website to learn more about these events as they are scheduled.
Besides supporting these activities, we hope you’ll consider making a financial donation at any time so we can continue funding scholarships for young women.
Successful Fundraiser Held in 2021
In the summer of 2021, while Covid restrictions were still in place and conditions were uncertain, we organized fundraising efforts involving a direct appeal to members as well as a GoFundMe fundraiser open to the public. The GoFundMe campaign included a chance to win seven items of baseball memorabilia signed by the Nationals’ pitcher Max Scherzer. Winners of the items, chosen in a randomized blind drawing in August, are show below.
Shown are winners of the fundraiser memorabilia: top row, from left to right, Phyllis Yoshida, Maureen Stratford, and Fran Pearce. Bottom row, left to right, Becky and Jim Kilbourne, Casey Scott Laxton, and Marion Kettering. Center, autographed Nationals memorabilia signed by Max Scherzer.
The fundraising efforts netted $21,908.17, and McLean AAUW is grateful to Erica and Max Scherzer for their generous contribution of the baseball memorabilia. Their support and that of everyone who donated will enable to continue our organization’s mission to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research.