300 Volunteers Form Human Chain to Move 9,100 Books

Quick Smiles:

• A human chain of 300 volunteers moved 9,100 books to a new location in just 2 hours.
• The new bookstore location is twice the size of the original, set to open on Independent Bookstore Day.
• Community spirit shines as neighbors bond over shared love for books.

In a delightful display of community spirit, residents of Chelsea, Michigan, recently came together to assist a cherished local business, Serendipity Books.

Faced with the daunting task of relocating 9,100 books to a new location, owner Michelle Tuplin reached out to her loyal followers and customers for help.

The response was nothing short of remarkable, as 300 volunteers arrived, ready to lend a hand.

Tuplin, inspired by the overwhelming support, proposed an innovative solution: forming a human chain to pass the books from the old store to the new one, a mere 350 feet away.

“It was just a joyful experience,” shared Donna Zak, one of the enthusiastic volunteers.

She added, “We were passing the books and noticing and commenting to each other, ‘Oh, have you read this one? I really enjoyed this one!’”

In just two hours, the entire inventory was transferred and organized alphabetically, a feat that would have been impossible without the community’s help.

Serendipity Books expressed their gratitude on social media, saying, “Grateful doesn’t even begin to express how we are feeling. Thank you thank you thank you, we love you Chelsea!”

Michelle Tuplin reflected on the event, noting, “People really consider independent bookstores theirs. It’s really a part of the community, and they have ownership.”

The new space, more than twice the size of the previous one, is set to celebrate its grand opening on April 26th, coinciding with America’s “Independent Bookstore Day.”

In the midst of this book-loving camaraderie, a follower suggested that the story of Michelle Tuplin and her “Book Brigade” deserved wider recognition.

Indeed, the tale of this community’s unity and passion for books is one worth sharing—and perhaps one day, someone will pen a book about it.

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