Q: So how did the trade show industry make a difference in Greensburg, Kansas?
A: Just ask trade show consultant and author Marlys Arnold --
she helped build a library!
On May 4, 2007, the citizens of Greensburg faced a life-changing disaster. But only months later, the town was already coming back. School started in the fall, but things were far from normal. One thing still lacking at the beginning of the school year was the high school library.
Kansas City-based trade show consultant and author, Marlys Arnold, felt a connection to the kids. "I grew up about 100 miles from Greensburg, and remember going there as a child," Arnold said. "These kids have lost everything: their house, their school, their neighborhood. They should at least have a library."
So Arnold made it her mission to help replenish the high school library. To do so, she purchased a new book for the students for each copy of her books and CDs that sold during a special promotion in the fall of 2007. She also collected books that other people wanted to donate to the school.
On a cold blustery day in November, Arnold filled her car with more than 200 books and drove to Greensburg. When first entering the east side of town, things looked rather normal. But within a few blocks, the devastation was evident. "There were entire blocks completely wiped out, except for some bare, Dr. Seuss-style trees and giant pits where houses had stood on their basements," Arnold said. The entire school system is housed in a series of trailers, one of which functions as the library.
Librarian Nicole Unruh expressed delight when receiving the books. "We've received many popular fiction books, but other sections like biography and non-fiction are still lacking," she said, indicating the small clusters of books on one shelf. "We appreciate so much what everyone has done for us."
Click here to view a slide show of photos from Greensburg.
F.A.Q.'s
Can I still participate?
If you'd still like to help the kids of Greensburg, just contact us to find out what books the library needs, then purchase a title of your choosing and send it to us at PO Box 901808, Kansas City, Missouri, 64190-1808. We'll include it in our next shipment for Greensburg.