Salem-Keizer – Auxiliary to Host Author Daniel James Brown at Fundraiser

Assistance League Auxiliary members Sandy Whittington (left) and Kathy Graham (right) were excited about the Spring Forum event featuring author Daniel James Brown. (Photo: MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journ)

Assistance League Auxiliary members Sandy Whittington (left) and Kathy Graham (right) were excited about the Spring Forum event featuring author Daniel James Brown. (Photo: MOLLY J. SMITH / Statesman Journ)

Assistance League of Salem-Keizer Auxiliary members Kathy Graham and Sandy Whittington were excited about the Spring Forum event featuring Daniel James Brown, The New York Times-best-selling author of “The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.”

Brown will speak, answer questions and sign books at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at Smith Auditorium, Willamette University, 270 Winter St. SE.

“It’s such a readable book,” Kathy said, “Very compelling. A great story. It reads almost like fiction.”

The book tells the true story of nine working-class boys from the University of Washington who beat the odds in the 1936 Olympics, overcoming the Depression, and challenged the German boat rowing crew for Adolf Hitler.

Cost is $25 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the Daue House, 1095 Saginaw St. SE and Encore Furniture, 1198 Commercial St. SE, or online at assistanceleaguesalem.org.

“We wanted it to be affordable for students, to encourage them to come,” Sandy said. “All funds go to the Assistance League Auxiliary and supports youth in our community.”

The Assistance League Auxiliary, a nonprofit volunteer organization, provides a variety of community services including Operation Backpack, which helps children with school supplies; an independent living program; a college scholarship and birthday parties for homeless youth.

For information, call 503-370-9130.