One of our most fearless and tireless fundraisers, the always-awesome Julie Dennis wanted to do something really special for her 40th birthday. She decided to make a whole year of it by holding various events to raise money for Pablove, including a “Magic Mike Ladies’ Night,” an online donation raffle, and coordinating an outing to a benefit concert. Our favorite thing that Julie organized for her birth-year festivities was a “ladies-only” Book Swap Social for herself and her Chicago-area friends and family.

The entrance fee was $25 and attendees were asked to bring at least one used book of any kind – including “tween reads” like Twilight or The Hunger Games. For each book Julie’s friends brought, they received a ticket good for one of the scores of books brought to the party. The evening included food and beverages (donated by local restaurants and stores), a raffle, swag bags, and even a silent auction. To make the day extra festive, the ladies came dressed in their best Pablove pink and grey.

It was a GIANT success and all the proceeds were donated to The Pablove Foundation – a grand total of $5,323. Julie’s love of reading, friendship and charity came together brilliantly, creatively, and most importantly, with a library full of fun.