Bookstore Challenges Others to Join in Humanitarian Effort

Chapter One Book Store in Hamilton, Montana, recently "issued a challenge" to other booksellers and Montana businesses to donate a percentage of their profits on Thursday, May 1, to Iraqi humanitarian relief efforts.

Bookseller Russ Lawrence

Bookseller Russ Lawrence, co-owner of Chapter One, launched the initiative "to assert the traditional American values of compassion and generosity in the wake of the devastation and social disruption now widespread in Iraq." Lawrence chose May 1, May Day, because of the recognition of "Mayday" as an international distress call.

Chapter One plans to donate half of all its profits from sales on May 1 to Oxfam, an international relief agency with a program already operating in Iraq. "I'm challenging other bookstores and businesses to choose a percentage and an agency and make a donation," said Lawrence. "The thousands of Iraqis who are suffering from lack of food, water, and shelter need to know that Americans care about their plight. Our involvement can't end with a military victory. We have to help them rebuild their lives."

Lawrence pointed out that major relief agencies such as Oxfam and the International Red Cross already have staff in the Middle East. "[Booksellers should] just make sure it's an organization that will turn [their] donation into food or medicine as soon as possible and get it to the people who need it," he said.

Lawrence is also encouraging booksellers to enlist their local businesses to join in the effort.