Books-A-Million chooses Cumbee Center for book, toy drive
Dec 01, 2012 (Menafn - Aiken Standard - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --Books-A-Million Inc. announced on Friday that all Books-A-Million stores will partner with a local charity for a monthlong Holiday Book and Toy drive that begins today, and the Aiken store has selected the Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons as its recipient.
Throughout the month of December, customers in the store can purchase books or toys and donate them to the Aiken nonprofit, which provides assistance and housing to abused men, women and children.
Paul Volz, volunteer events coordinator for the Cumbee Center, said the center teamed up with Books-A-Million earlier this year for a charity week, during which a portion of the store's sales benefited the center.
"This is the first time a store like Books-A-Million has stepped up and told us they'd collect for us the whole month," he said. "This is the first time a company has actually done a big toy and book drive for us."
The goal for the monthlong event is to donate 4,000 in books, toys and monetary donations to the Cumbee Center.
Matthew Murrah, assistant general manager of the Aiken store, said they have long wanted to help the Cumbee Center.
"It's one that we, as a management staff and as a store, like a lot and like what they do for the community," he said. "They were our first choice."
Volz said books are appreciated and helpful for the people seeking assistance from the center.
"A book is like a TV for some," he said. "They can escape their worries for a little while, and that helps their healing and getting back to a normal state."
Toys are just as appreciated, especially around the holidays, Volz said.
"You can imagine spending the night in a strange place, and your Christmas presents have either been destroyed or burned in front of you," he said. "We'll make those kids as happy as we can."
According to Murrah, the store will have bins placed out for customers to drop off donations. Customers will also have the option of making a monetary donation at the register.
"You want kids to have a good Christmas," he said. "Books are really good for the learning and education aspect, and what kid doesn't want toys? It's to make sure the kids have a good Christmas."
Books-A-Million is located in the Aiken Mall, 2441 Whiskey Road. The store is open Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Teddy Kulmala covers the crime beat for the Aiken Standard. He is a graduate of Clemson University and hails from Williston.
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