Published: June 08, 2008 11:09 pm      

Person of the Week: Teacher collects books for annual sale

The pages of Lee Rager’s life are filled with books.

So is her garage.

A favorite chapter in the retired English teacher’s life is about to begin when she and fellow volunteers move tons of donated books from her garage to The Galleria mall, for the 51st annual Johnstown Branch, American Association of University Women book sale Wednesday through Saturday.

For the past 11 months, people have dropped off books at her garage. The branch also conducted two, used-book collection drives to add to that collection.

Rager doesn’t know how many books have been donated this year, but past experience tells her it is two moving-van loads.

The majority of the money raised will help local residents.

Proceeds will provide $1,000 scholarships for each of two girls and one boy from Johnstown area high schools; support the Cambria County Library in downtown Johnstown and Highland Community Library in Richland Township; support the Cambria County Literacy Council; and fund endowments for scholarships for women at both Pitt-Johnstown and Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.

Proceeds also are used to sponsor an essay contest for junior and senior high school students during March, Women’s History Month, and to support the national AAUW’s Education Foundation.

Last year, the branch was able to distribute $10,000 to help the various programs.

Members are hoping to raise even more this year to fund another scholarship, Rager said.

She said the 55 members of the Johnstown branch work hard on the project.

“This is a labor of love by all of them,” said Rager, co-chairwoman of the event.

The sale features books in all categories, with hardbacks selling for $1 and paperbacks, 50 cents. Recent publications and collectible books are priced higher.

“You name it, we have it,” she said about the selection.

She said they are astonished by how generous folks have been in donating books.

Rager said The Galleria has been great, donating space and supporting them in various ways.

Rager is an active member at her church, Luther Chapel, located in Coral, Indiana County, where she has served as volunteer organist for 60 years.

For her efforts, the Southmont woman is the Person of the Week.

Kay Kusibab, past vice president of the branch, said Rager, who taught at Ferndale Area High School, was so well admired that students continue to invite her to their class reunions and support the book sale.

Rager is dedicated to whatever she does, Kusibab said.

Cindy Bennett, co-chairwoman of the book sale, said they could not hold the event without Rager.

“She makes sure everything gets done every year to make it a successful sale,” Bennett said.

Robert W. Knipple, director of alumni and community relations for Pitt-Johnstown, said thanks to the generosity and commitment of the branch to education, two local students receive assistance with tuition and other expenses annually.

Lyn Meek, director of the Cambria County Library, said the branch has been a huge help to the library through the years. Its donations have been used to buy materials geared toward the entire community, she said.