Hurricane Sandy has driven the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) from its office building in lower Manhattan, but ABFFE is continuing its preparations for a Holiday Children’s Art Auction that will launch on eBay November 27. The storm pushed more than four feet of water into the lobby of the building in the South Street Seaport, damaging electrical equipment. But the ABFFE staff is continuing to solicit donations of art for the auction, which supports ABFFE’s efforts to defend the free speech rights of kids. “Sandy was a setback, but we have a lot to be grateful for. Our office itself was not damaged, and the art that we had already collected is safe and sound,” ABFFE president Chris Finan said. “We are confident that we will be able to launch on time.” The deadline for submitting art has been extended to November 21. Art can be sent to the American Booksellers Association until the ABFFE office reopens.

The Holiday Children’s Art Auction is the online version of the auction that is held at BookExpo America, featuring original art from the book industry’s leading artists and illustrators. More information about contributing to the auction is available online. A donation form has also been posted. Contact Finan by e-mail, chris@abffe.org, or by phone, (917) 509-0340.