The next Scholastic Book Fairs Warehouse Sale is scheduled for December 11-20. We go every year–even though it’s an hour’s drive away–and save up to 80% on everything from video games and children’s books to goody bag favors and birthday presents that we stash in a closet until we need them.

Be sure to sign up for a Fast-Cart Pass to skip the sign-in lines and get a coupon for $10 off a $50 purchase (enter source code E12M34).

Although these sales are promoted as being exclusively for educators and BookFair chairpeople/volunteers, many shoppers do not fall into any of these categories.

Before the Scholastic Warehouse in Frederick closed, I volunteered for every sale. Volunteering now is a bit trickier–since they’re in Odenton–but not impossible. You can squeeze in a 4-hour shift while the kids are in school and earn a voucher good for $80 worth of merchandise.

Think you might like to volunteer? The following is excerpted from an email sent me by the Odenton Volunteer Coordinator, Melissa Windsor:

We are currently looking for volunteers to work bagging the books for the cashiers at the checkout area along with other miscellaneous light duties. We are offering product vouchers to be spent during the sale for your volunteer services. If you are available to assist for 4 hours or more, we have flexible shifts. The dates that we have available are as follows:

• Thursday 12/11 & Friday 12/12 - various shifts during the time frame of 10am – 7pm
• Saturday 12/13 - various shifts from 9am – 2:30pm
• Monday 12/15, Tuesday 12/16, Wednesday 12/17 & Thursday 12/18 - various shifts during the time frame of 10am - 5pm
• Friday 12/19 - various shifts during the time frame of 10am – 7pm
• Saturday 12/20 - various shifts from 9am – 2:30pm

Please respond via e-mail to mwindsor@scholasticbookfairs.com with the specific time frames and dates that you are interested in working as soon as possible. I will be in contact with you to coordinate and confirm a schedule. If you have volunteered for us during a previous event, please indicate which event it was.