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The Shepherd’s Center of Greater Winston-Salem has canceled the 34^th Annual Used Book Sale fundraising event which was scheduled for Sept. 2-4.

Unfortunately, this is the second year in a row that the event has had to be canceled due to COVID-19 and results in a loss of important income which is devoted to the programs and services offered for older adults in Forsyth County.

The board of directors voted unanimously at its August meeting to cancel the annual used book sale scheduled for early September. This decision was not taken lightly and was very difficult. The primary concern in cancelling the event was for the public health and safety of participants and volunteers given the uncertainty of the current spread of the COVID delta variant in our state and community.

People attend the event from across our state as well as many surrounding states. Many children who are too young to be vaccinated also attend. Public health and safety were foremost in the minds of the board in making this difficult decision.

In 2020, despite COVID, the Shepherd’s Center remained in operation and served a record 6,365 aging adults with a wide range of services including transportation, minor home repairs, caregiver services and support, health and wellness activities as well as significant volunteer opportunities. This year has continued at the same pace and the requests for services are exceeding that of 2020.

The organization is now currently setting its sights on the 2022 event which is scheduled for May 5-7.

As a state-certified Senior Center of Excellence, the  mission of the Shepherd’s Center of Greater Winston-Salem is to promote and support successful aging by providing direct services, volunteer opportunities and enrichment programs for older adults. For more information, call 336-748-0217, email info@shepherdscenter.org or go to www.shepherdscenter.org .