he massive spring Churchmouse book sale adds a new ware this round.
St. Mary’s Churchmouse Books hosts three sales a year, where volunteers fill pew upon pew with good reads for sale by donation to support local charities.
The event also boasts a silent auction of the best books, a raffle to support the Canadian College of Performing Arts, local crafts and refreshments alongside music. And this time, a variety of reusable bags are up for grabs.
Shirley Holliday, among the volunteers at St. Mary’s, had an idea and offered the manpower as the only seamstress to craft the totes this time.
“You’ve got to start somewhere,” she said, adding with a laugh, “and I’m kind of a bag lady.”
It’s a bit of an experiment, she says, to see if there is a demand.
“They’re all made out of scrap material that’s been donated,” Holliday said. “They don’t have to be book bags, they can be for shoes, for groceries …”
Proceeds from the bag sales will go to a literacy charity.
The St. Mary’s Churchmouse Books Spring Book and Craft Fest is Saturday, April 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church, 1701 Elgin Rd.
Visit stmarysoakbay.ca online to learn more.