Penn Valley will host the bi-annual HomeShare Book Sale on October 4-6, 2006, from 8am to 7:30pm in the Campus Center lobby. All proceeds will go to benefit the HomeShare program.

A reception will be held Tuesday, October 3, from 5:00-7:00 the evening before the sale, and the last day of shopping will be Bargain Day.

A. Rae Price, who started the HomeShare program 25 years ago, said its main goal has been "to help keep older people in their homes."

The program matches older homeowners who need assistance with students and workers who need affordable housing. The elderly share their homes in exchange for the help and companionship they need to live at home and little or no rent.

Both parties benefit from HomeSharing. Students new to the area or unable to afford high rental costs can contact HomeShare, which only charges an income-based fee. If the income is low enough, the fee can be waived.

The program serves a lot of housing needs. There is careful screening, placement and follow-up, and the students and workers receive preparatory counseling on household conduct. Their senior housemates get advice on how to keep a home in good legal standing and avoid foreclosure.

All the items in the sale are donated; even the signs were a gift from Brandeis University. This year, books, CDs, and framed artwork will be sold.

"The sale will help raise funds to pay Executive Director Fredrick Andersson's salary, and buy office supplies," Price said.

To help raise awareness for the sale, reading instructor Judith Flynn sent an email to fellow Penn Valley faculty and staff, advising them to tell family and friends about the sale. Several campus organizations are helping to organize the sale this year, including Phi Theta Kappa, Student Ambassadors, and the Organization of Latin Awareness for Students.

"I'm pretty excited about working on the book sale," said OLAS staff advisor Victor Garcia.

The Oppenstein Brothers Foundation, Victor E. Spears Foundation, Jewish Heritage Foundation, and the Kauffman Fund all contribute to the HomeShare program as well, and Gear for Sports donates the printing materials.

UMKC and Park University also offer the HomeShare program to their students. Penn Valley supports HomeShare by providing space and utilities for their office, located at 3201 Southwest Trafficway, room ST 201A.

Copyright 2006 Metropolitan Community College