Binc: The Southern Bookselling Community Steps Up!

SIBA raised over $3000 for the Book Industry Charitable Foundation at the SIBA Discovery Show last week. Binc is a charitable foundation that provides assistance to bookstore employees who have a demonstrated financial need arising from severe hardship and/or emergency circumstances. The generosity of show attendees was especially in evidence as Hurricane Florence made landfall on the North Carolina coast, threatening friends and colleagues.

"SIBA and her team raised a total of $3,039," said Kathy Bartson of Binc, "thus helping at least one bookseller and family but most likely two booksellers!"

The "Heads or Tails" Binc fundraiser has become an established event at the show. A game in which participants buy flashing pins for a chance to win a $500 cash prize, the fundraiser culminates in a fun event on the show floor where everyone who has bought a pin stands, pins blinking, and when the coin is flipped, each person publicly indicates their guess by placing their hands on their “head” (head) or “tail” (backside). Each flip eliminates those who guessed wrong, and they turn off their pin; More pins mean more chances to play and the last person standing wins.

SIBA and Binc sold the pins for $20 each, or 2 for $35. Publishers stepped in to play on behalf of their authors and show presenters who couldn't stay for the event but wanted to support Binc and the many booksellers threatened by the storm.

The winner of the #SIBA18 Heads or Tails contest was from The Muse Bookshop in Deland Florida.

Donations to Binc can be made here

https://secure.donationpay.org/bincfoundation/

If you are a bookseller in need, you can request assistance here:

https://www.bincfoundation.org/request-assistance/

Booksellers can also email to help@bincfoundation.org or call 866-733-9064.

In the words of Binc Executive Director Pam French "We are ready to assist."

*A personal note from Nicki: I sometimes think people don't take the phrase "we are ready to assist" seriously or literally, but I am here to tell you that when Binc says it, they absolutely mean it. It was no secret at this year's SIBA show that I was feeling worried and a little frantic. Hurricane Florence made landfall...well, right in my front yard, frankly. I live just north of Wilmington, NC, on the coast. Needless to say, I was distracted the entire week, unable to get any news about friends or loved ones, not to mention my friend who housesits for me and takes care of my dogs and cats. (Everyone is fine, by the way, as is my house). The day the hurricane hit, the Binc people emailed me, asking if I needed help and letting SIBA know they were ready to help any bookseller in harm's way. Pam and Kathy were both at the show and checked in with me periodically. And as I made my way home (as of this writing I am still en route, all the roads to Wilmington are closed), Binc called me on the phone just to check in and make sure I knew help was available. In fact, one of the most rewarding things I have done post-show was to help Binc compile a list of our member stores that may have been affected and have staff in need. They are that committed to their mission.

Binc is good people, folks. Give if you can. And please, please, ask for help if you need it.