Opinion: Charities, benefits on tap throughout month of November

There’s something about November that seems to bring out the best in us humans.

Maybe we can trace it back almost 400 years to that first Thanksgiving in Plymouth.

Or maybe tempers naturally cool down as the mercury drops.

Whatever the reason, there is never a shortage of good causes to support this time of year, and this weekend we have a slew of them in eastern New Mexico, starting with the annual used book sale that benefits the Friends of the Portales Public Library.

Along with invaluable assistance from Cannon Air Force Base volunteers, we’ll be setting that sale up Thursday at the library, 218 S. Ave. B, Portales, and practically giving books away starting at 5 p.m.

From 5-7 p.m., you can buy a big tote bag for $5 and fill it with all the books you can carry. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, hard-backed books (including some that are as good as new) are only 50 cents, and any paperback in the sale goes for a quarter.

From 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday, all remaining stock is only dollar a bag. We’d love to sell out, but even if we don’t, more volunteers from CAFB will be on hand to help us box up the leftovers for next year.

There is also a lovely display of miniature art quilts in the Portales Public Library that comes down on Saturday, but 16 of them will go home with new owners who submit winning bids on a silent auction that is under way. Bidding ends at noon Saturday.

I think we could all agree that Abraham Lincoln would have jumped at the opportunity to buy books for pocket change, but there may be a lot more we don’t know about our 16th president.

We have the perfect opportunity to rectify that in yet another fundraiser that takes place Friday evening.

By day, Patrick McCreary is an instructor of technical theater and design at Eastern New Mexico University. If you’ve ever seen him, it will come as no surprise that he has a long history of professionally portraying Abraham Lincoln.

He’ll be bringing his one-man show (a show that has toured nationally, by the way) to the Yam Theater from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday in a benefit performance for the MainStreet program. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $10, and you can sip coffee and munch on complimentary desserts while you learn about ol’ Abe’s early years.

There are open houses scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday at one of area’s best good causes: The New Mexico Christian Children’s Home.

Located at 1356 NM 236 west of Portales, the home will be open for campus tours and performances by some of the children. Lunch is available to visitors both days.

Finally, if you’re ready to swing full-steam into the holiday season and support a great cause with one fell swoop, head to Traci’s Greenhouse at 2600 Mabry Drive, Clovis, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday for the Hartley House Annual Festival of Trees.

Tickets for this fundraiser are $35 per person, or $50 per couple. The evening includes appetizers and a cash bar, as well as the opportunity to bid on dazzlingly decorated Christmas trees.

The fundraiser benefits the Hartley House, a Clovis-based organization devoted to providing refuge and support to individuals affected by domestic violence.

The temperature may be falling, but we still have plenty of ways to warm our hearts.

Betty Williamson is feeling grateful. Reach her at:

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