Calling All Volunteers — Jean C. Gordon

No, I don't have a project I want your help with. Rather, I thought it would be fun to hear what kind of volunteer activities the Love Inspired Ladies and readers are involved in. For my self, I volunteer Tuesday and Saturday mornings at the Book Nook at our church (and other random hours sorting and shelving books). This week we are deep in getting ready for one of our semi-annual "Huge" Sales.

Our Book Nook was started by a lovely woman named Joy (who is a joy) to help the church with heating costs about ten years ago when fuel oil costs spiked. It sells donated books of all kinds, puzzles, DVDs, CDs, record albums, and VHS tapes for a $1 or less. (All Bibles are free.) 

But the Book Nook has evolved into so much more. It's a gathering place to share a cup of coffee and baked goods, as well as fellowship, with people in our community.  And a way to promote reading and literacy.

For instance we:

• Invite teachers to come and pick out 20 free books for their classrooms
• Give every child/student infant to college student one free book each time they visit
• Encourage college students to check us out for books they may need for literature classes
• Send books to service members serving overseas through our local VFW. (Sadly, we're discouraged from including romance books.)

My husband Mark and me at the
Friendship Festival last year

• Have provided books to a prison ministry
• Offer children's books free for the taking at our church's Evangelism Committee table at our community's annual Friendship Festival each August, along with cold water
• Make free books available at our elementary school's book sales for children who don't have money to buy new books at the sales. So, they don't feel left out.

And last fall, one of the other volunteers took a box of books to hand out to trick or treaters along with a candy treat.

While the Book Nook can be hard work, it's also very rewarding, and our core group of volunteers, along with some of our regular patrons, have all become good friends.

Who's next?

Celebrate Son and Daughter Day

According to checkiday,com, today is Son and Daughter Day, a day to spend with your son or daughter. No presents, please. It's not a day of gift giving--except for the gift of time.

I don't have particular plans with my son or daughter today. But my son and I volunteered together at our church's semiannual book sale this past weekend. And my daughter, granddaughter, and I plan to go shopping together--something we haven't done in a long time--at Lee Premium Outlets this Saturday.

I'm fortunate to have both of my children (and grandchildren) close by. Do you have plans with your children this week?
 
Josh Donnelly, the hero of my August Love Inspired Romance doesn't have many fond memories of doing things with his alcoholic father. And when Dad returns out of the blue seven years after abandoning his family, Josh isn't keen on creating any new memories with him.
 
by Jean C. Gordon
FALLING FOR THE BACHELOR
Tessa Hamilton never imagined the hardest part of having her best friend help renovate her small-town movie theater would be keeping her heart safe. She can't fall for a man who has no interest in a serious relationship with any woman…and who doesn't know the secret she hides. Besides, Josh Donnelly is too eager to leave Paradox Lake—especially when his estranged father returns. Tessa struggles with the turmoil, but as she falls deeper for the bachelor, she knows she must be honest if there's any chance for them. But will telling Josh put everything at risk—including their friendship?

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