Join Us for TUARA’s Annual Spring Luncheon on April 24
Please join us for TUARA’s spring luncheon, hosted by UA President Stuart Bell, at the Capstone Hotel at 11 a.m., Monday, April 24. Dr. Bell will provide an update on news and activities at the University. TUARA’s annual business meeting, awards presentations, and election of officers and executive board members will follow the luncheon. Please RSVP by Friday, April 14 by calling 205-348-9237 or sending an email to specialevents@ua.edu.
Books for the Black Belt
As part of the annual luncheon, we will collect books for the UA Center for Economic Development’s Books for the Black Belt project. Books for the Black Belt collects new or gently used K-12 books and distributes them to school libraries in Alabama’s Black Belt. In 2022, UACED collected and distributed more than 10,000 books to 72 schools in 13 counties. UACED strives to help children develop a love of learning and reading.
What kinds of books are appropriate to donate?
Any classic literature texts and other award-winning schoolbooks (fiction and nonfiction). See below a reference list of appropriate books.
- Caldecott Award/Honor Books
- Carter G. Woodson Book Awards
- Coretta Scott King Book Awards
- NCSS Notable Tradebooks
- Newbery Medal Books
- Printz Award Books
- Pura Belpré Award
Special Need for Books Appropriate for Middle School Readers and ACT/College Prep Books
There is currently a specific shortage of books appropriate for middle school readers, as well as ACT/College prep books.
Can’t decide?
Sites like The Book Bundler or O3 Books offer bundles of gently used books at affordable prices. Checks made out to The University of Alabama will also be accepted if you prefer to donate funds to the project instead of bringing books.
TUARA Talks Recording
If you missed the recent TUARA Talks webinar, you can view the recording here:
Passcode: j=l^E84R
Connect with TUARA
Follow TUARA on Facebook at facebook.com/tuara.ua.
Volunteer Hours
Whether you volunteer weekly or just occasionally, please report your volunteer hours to TUARA. We share reported hours with AERA. AERA, in turn, uses retirees’ volunteer hours statewide to demonstrate the value that retirees bring to Alabama’s economy and quality of life. It’s easy! Just email your hours, broken down by the categories in the chart below, to tuara.ua@gmail.com. Please report any previously unreported hours from Jan. 1, 2023 through the present.
Service hours should include activities in Alabama for which you have not received financial reimbursement. Hours should also not include 1) Sunday school and church attendance, 2) Caring for family members, and 3) Participation in AERA activities on state committees or the Board of Directors. You may include hours spent on TUARA activities, except for attending board meetings.
| Categories | Examples | # of Service Hours |
| Arts | Children’s Hands-On Museum, theater, opera, arts | |
| Church | Church related service projects (not attendance for worship services) | |
| Civic | Organizational projects, civic and special interest | |
| Health | Bloodmobile, clinics, nursing home, nutrition, home care | |
| Education | Mentoring, literacy projects | |
| Transportation | Shopping, errands, escort services | |
| RSVP/Volunteer Programs | Shut-Ins, telephone, etc. | |
| Youth Work | Big Brothers Big Sisters, work related to youth programs | |
| TUARA | TUARA volunteer activities, administrative work, communications, etc. | |
| Other (specify) | ||
| Total Hours |