| Key Club sponsors a library charity |
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At a glance
• WHAT: Fundraising banquet for Ethiopia Reads
West High School’s Key Club will have a banquet later this month, with children’s author Jane Kurtz to raise money for a library in Ethiopia.
In six months, the club has hosted two used-book sales and other fundraisers that have raised $3,600. The goal is to raise $6,000 to build a public library in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, through the Ethiopia Reads organization.
“We are very pleased with the outcome of our past fundraisers,” said Key Club adviser Jared Rio. “We’re really hoping to reach our goal with these last couple of events.”
Rio discovered Ethiopia Reads through an article on former refugee Frew Tibebu and his involvement with the organization. Rio pitched the idea of getting involved to the rest of the club, and members agreed. They contacted Tibebu, now a real estate agent in Tracy, and have worked with him the past six months.
“The library we are hoping to build will be a clean and safe environment where anyone in the area can go to read books and learn new things,” Tibebu said.
Kurtz, co-founder of Ethiopia Reads, will speak about herself, her life in Ethiopia and Ethiopia Reads at the banquet. After her presentation, Kurtz’s books will be available for purchase, and there will be a book signing. Guests are asked to RSVP to Tibebu or to Rio. “We would appreciate people to be gracious in helping us raise the money we need,” Tibebu said.
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