Asheville’s beloved son and prolific 20th century writer, Thomas Wolfe, remarked once that “you can’t go home again.” As a metaphor for the constant evolution of our charming little burgh, we completely agree. However, that has never stopped us from finding new homes for the multitude of books entrusted in our care.
Much as Wolfe once looked homeward after a long journey abroad, the POP Project is constantly steering books toward their new homes. We deliver free books that benefit thousands of men, women, and schoolchildren each year. And we couldn’t make the impact that we do without the help of dozens of volunteers each year.
Our monthly Homeward Books volunteer opportunities let single-day volunteers participate in the heart of POP’s book giving endeavors. Volunteers who have signed up via Hands On’s newly updated website meet at our outdoor storage units to sort the incoming book donations and prepare them for future delivery. Volunteers need patience and perseverance, along with a little ingenuity, because we never know just how many books we’ll have or how their subjects might divide. But literature lovers always enjoy finding a surprising unique title or classic edition of their favorite read as they sort the books.
Homeward Books is set up as a Hands On flex project. This means that it is managed by a fellow volunteer, which is also in keeping with POP’s history as a 100% volunteer-led organization. That also means that the groups are kept intentionally small and the pace is set by each session’s participants.
If you want to volunteer in the sun without breaking your back or getting your hands (too) dirty, then Homeward Books may be a good fit for you. We still have several spots available for this month’s opportunity, but if you can’t make it this month, don’t fret—we’ll be outside each second Saturday from March through October, weather permitting.
