Audio-Reader Network’s Annual Benefit Sale Going Virtual This Year
LAWRENCE – If you love music, collect vinyl records, or simply need to update your stereo system, you can do that all from the comfort of your home as Audio-Reader’s annual benefit sale, formally called “For Your Ears Only,” is going virtual this year. What normally is a two-day sale in the fall is transitioning into a series of online virtual sales to benefit Audio-Reader.
“Given the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and out of an abundance of caution and safety for the community, our staff, and our volunteers, we decided to change our event to a series of virtual sales,” Beth McKenzie, Development Director of Audio-Reader stated.
The first virtual sale is slated for Thursday, July 16 at 6:00pm on Audio-Reader’s Facebook Live page. Customers tuning in to Audio-Reader’s Facebook Live page will watch as the hosts showcase 20 different pieces of numbered audio equipment, each priced below market value. This first sale will feature only audio equipment and will include unique pieces such as stereo receivers, turntables, speakers, reel-to-reel tape decks and more. Simply comment “Sold” along with the equipment number to secure the item. Audio-Reader will send a link via Facebook Messenger to pay directly online for the item. Customers will be able to pick up their equipment at Audio-Reader on either Friday or Saturday, July 17 & 18 at an agreed upon time. Audio-Reader is currently only doing local pick-up and is unable to ship or deliver at this time.
Audio-Reader plans to continue with these virtual online sales on a regular basis and details of those will be forthcoming. Each sale will include more and more items that normally would be featured at the annual sale, such as vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, musical instruments and more.
“While we are sad we cannot have the sale in the same format as we normally do this year, we think this can be a great opportunity to reach more people who didn’t know about our sale or who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend. As we continue these virtual sales, we plan to have fun with them, focusing on specific equipment, records, instruments and much more. We will have Kansas Public Radio guests and audio technician guests that will make the show even more entertaining,” Meredith Johanning, Audio-Reader’s Assistant Development Director and virtual sale organizer said.
Audio-Reader is not taking in donations for the sale this year. Instead, the audio equipment, records, instruments and other items that will be featured in these virtual sales are excess inventory received over the last year. Dedicated Audio-Reader volunteers have inspected, cleaned and repaired when necessary, the items so quality pieces can be provided at discounted prices.
Proceeds from the sale benefit Audio-Reader, a service organization providing free reading and information services for individuals who are blind and visually impaired. The University of Kansas decided in the last few
years to cease direct funding to Audio-Reader, making fundraisers like these virtual benefit sales vital to Audio-Reader’s operation. Funds from the sale go directly to helping Audio-Reader listeners stay connected with their communities and live a life of greatest, possible personal independence. More information about Audio-Reader and its upcoming Facebook Live sales is available at https://reader.ku.edu or by calling (800) 772-8898
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Meredith Johanning
(785) 864-4634
mjohanning@ku.edu
