Volunteer at the Art & BookFair 2015!

Starting with a “Book Mart” in October 1961, AAFSW has held a book sale every year at the State Department. This October, the Art & BookFair will once again offer books and treasures from all over the world. Our donors from the Foreign Service community have lived everywhere, and customers come to this sale knowing that they can find truly unusual international items. This sale has raised $60,000 to $100,000 annually. Over the years that has added up to more than a million dollars.

AAFSW uses Art & BookFair funds to finance scholarships and many other activities in support of the Foreign Service community, from our website to informational programs and events of all types. Some of the proceeds, as well as in-kind donations, are given to DC-area community organizations.

Just as the family members of the Foreign Service depend on AAFSW to advocate for their interests, AAFSW itself depends on the income from the Art & BookFair to function. And we depend on our members to help make this event a success!

How can you help?

Donate items from your home, especially objects acquired overseas. We take art, textiles, jewelry, pottery, wooden carved creations, paintings, stamps, paper money, coins — anything from the countries that you have visited or posts in which you have lived. Small items can be sent in the mail, but we also pick up donations in the Washington, DC area.
Pick-ups (for donated items other than books) can be arranged by calling the BookRoom, 202-223-5796, or by emailing office@aafsw.org. We will not be accepting any more books after August 31. Remind your friends and co-workers to do the same, especially those who are retiring, downsizing or moving.

Volunteer your time during the year. If you have expertise in local art from a particular region of the world, such as South America, or knowledge of languages, we could really use help in pricing books and artifacts. You can get into the Dept. of State (DOS) with your diplomatic passport. Even if you are only here for a short time, we can use your help.

Volunteer to help set up October 6-8, clean up October 19 and 20, or work at the Art & BookFair, October 9-19! Use the volunteer form here or print out the form in the Summer 2015 issue of the Global Link. You can also email office@aafsw.org or call the AAFSW office (703-820-5420) to volunteer.

The volunteers have a lot of fun! The Art & BookFair is a unique experience, with its interesting books and artifacts, enthusiastic customers, and the old friends and colleagues that we run into from a former post!

AAFSW Art & BookFair Committee
bookfair@aafsw.org