Raising Money for Students--by the Book

There are marathons, telethons, even bikeathons. In Garden Grove, a organization of teachers and other professional women is sponsoring a readathon.

On Tuesday, about 40 volunteers will descend on a small storefront that houses an antiques store, a mystery bookseller and a coffee and tea shop to raise funds for needy Garden Grove elementary students by--what else--reading.

The fourth annual event organized by the Beacons Professional Auxiliary of the Assistance League of Garden Grove has volunteers raising pledge donations for the event.

“The event is growing each year,” said Barbara Barker, a semiretired teacher and Beacon member. “We’ve been very pleased with it because it’s not a lot of work and we get to enjoy ourselves by reading. We have some businesses and [Garden Grove Hospital] supporting us and they give out of the goodness of their hearts.”

Joan Wunsch, a Beacon and owner of the Coffee, Tea and Mystery bookstore, is hosting the event for the first time. “This is going to be lots of fun,” Wunsch said. “We need more literary events like this in Orange County.”

Wunsch said she was asked to host this year’s readathon because the annual charity event has outgrown the previous locations.

“School kids whose families can’t afford glasses for them will be served by the readathon’s proceeds through the Save Our Sight program,” said Beacons chairwoman Nancy Fyson.

Previous efforts by the group have raised more than $10,000 through pledges of support, and Beacon officials say this year’s event will be no different.

“Our readathon also supports the Assistance League’s Operation School Bell program, from which Garden Grove school kids in need receive clothing, shoes and books,” said Fyson, who is also principal of Irvine Intermediate School.

The event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Coffee, Tea and Mystery bookstore, 11931 Valley View St. To volunteer to read or to pledge, contact Renae Boyum, (714) 663-6480.

Chris Ceballos can be reached at (714) 966-7440.