Covers Come Off DCM Bookfair This Weekend

DCM BOOKFAIR – Media Release

13 August 2014

Covers Come Off DCM Bookfair This Weekend

Final preparations are underway before the covers come off the 2014 DCM Bookfair in Wellington this weekend.

“We have some 90,000 books, CDs, DVDs, records and puzzles that will be on sale at this week’s Bookfair,” says Stephanie McIntyre, DCM’s Director. “We’ve made some fantastic finds in among the donations, so people coming along can be assured that there are not only many bargains to be had, but they are bound to find something that really appeals to them.”

The Bookfair is the year’s major fundraising event for DCM, an organisation which supports some of the most vulnerable people in our city. Each week some 150 people come to DCM, most of whom meet the New Zealand definition of homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. They are supported to find housing, access their correct benefit entitlements, manage their money, and to connect with family and a range of health and other services.

Thousands of Wellingtonians show up to the Bookfair each year, bringing in over $100,000 for DCM, a substantial chunk of the charity’s annual operating budget. However, the 2013 event was down on the usual tally, coming as it did on a weekend when much of the city had shut down due to a major earthquake.

“The second big earthquake struck the day before last year’s Bookfair while our volunteers were setting it up! But we were lucky Wellington City Council’s engineers speedily inspected the building and allowed the Bookfair to go ahead. We might have had to cancel the whole event and go without funds for that year,” said Ms McIntyre.

Each year a small army of volunteers receive the books, spending months sorting them and setting them all up ahead of the doors opening. “We’ve had over 100 people working on this event so far, so it’s a huge undertaking, especially for a small organisation that employs only seven full-time workers. Each year we are so grateful to the people who come and support us so that we can support the people who come through our doors to make dramatic changes in their lives.”

Other entertainment at the DCM Bookfair will include performances from the DCM Ukes Mataawaka, a musical group made up of current and former users of DCM’s services. A number of local and national politicians and candidates will also be volunteering at the Bookfair over the weekend, in particular on Saturday afternoon. A craft book stall will operate from the Wellington Underground Market on Saturday morning, and a cook book stall from the Harbourside Market on Sunday.

BOOKFAIR DETAILS: TSB Bank Arena, 16-17 August, Saturday 9am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm.

DCM Ukes Mataawaka performances at 1pm and 2pm on Saturday.

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