When Southgate Center Market closed at 905 S. Second Ave., members of the American Association of University Women-Walla Walla Branch scouted a new site for one of their annual book sale drop boxes.
Member Beth Kreger arranged with Plaza Safeway to provide a space for the box, which is now next to one of the front entry-exit doors, said Kay Raddatz who co-chairs the book sale with Kathy Jones.
“We so appreciate their kindness. And AAUW members continue to be grateful for the community’s generous donations … ,” Raddatz said.
Those book collection containers around the Valley serve a serious purpose. Books the community donates to the philanthropic group generate money to fund scholarships for local women returning to college, trade school scholarships and educational projects and events, said Raddatz.
The donation volume is high.
Before the book sale in February 2025, they took in 1,771 boxes of books and sold 1,526 boxes, which left 245 boxes of unsold books. There are 40 or so book categories, the largest being collectibles, children’s, young adult, cooking, biographies and autobiographies, literature, science fiction and fiction, Raddatz said.
The 2026 book sale will be Feb. 20-22 at the Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center, 6 W. Rose St.
Current book donation drop boxes in Walla Walla are: Wheatland Bakery, 1828 E. Isaacs Ave.; Plaza Safeway, 1600 Plaza Way; Grocery Outlet, 910 S. Ninth Ave.; and in the alley behind YWCA Walla Walla, 213 S. First Ave.; in Milton-Freewater at Fry’s True Value hardware, 175 S. Main St.; in Touchet at the Touchet Library, 82 Champion St.; and in College Place at Andy’s Market, 1117 S. College Ave.
To arrange a book pickup of large donations, call 206-399-8488 or 509-540-7510.
Proceeds from the sale provide scholarships for local women returning to college, and educational projects and events. Find out more about AAUW at aauwwallawalla.org.
Retired editor/journalist Annie Charnley Eveland freelances the Etcetera column and stories for the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. She is a member of AAUW. Reach out to acereporter1979@gmail.com or call 509-386-7369.