Audio-Reader hosting donation drive Oct. 17

LAWRENCE — Kansas Audio-Reader will host a donation drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Lied Center of Kansas. Donate your gently used audio equipment (modern and vintage), vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, cassette tapes and musical instruments. The Audio-Reader Network’s annual benefit sale, For Your Ears Only, has transitioned to a series of monthly Facebook Live sales for this year. Dates for the upcoming sales can be found on the Audio-Reader website.

Audio-Reader will provide a contactless drop-off for items. Donors can choose to either remain in their car while Audio-Reader staff removes the items, or donors may place their items on tables provided. Per KU requirements, all Audio-Reader staff and donors must wear a mask during drop-off. Donors will receive a tax receipt. The most popular items at the sales are rock 'n' roll records, turntables and vintage audio equipment.

Audio-Reader’s next Facebook Live sale will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. This sale will feature audio equipment such as receivers, speakers and turntables as well as vinyl records. Darrel Brogdon, Kansas Public Radio program director and host of the "Retro Cocktail Hour," will also make a guest appearance with a specially curated selection of Retro Cocktail Hour vinyl records. Customers tuning in to Audio-Reader’s Facebook Live page can comment “Sold” along with the item number to secure the desired item.

For more information about donating items during the donation drive, including what items are not accepted, visit the Audio-Reader website or contact Meredith Johanning, Audio-Reader assistant development director, at mjohanning@ku.edu.

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 has ceased 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 personal independence.