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ALPHA, the Fullerton Chapter of the Assistance League Professional Humanitarian Auxiliary, celebrated thirty-three years of the organization’s annual “A Day of Authors” fundraiser on Saturday, March 28, 2026, which brought about 390 people to Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Student Union, where the event took place. This fundraiser typically brings together authors from around the country and allows them to share their latest books and insights into their writing processes.

For the 2026 A Day of Authors, there were two keynote speakers: Lisa Unger, who spoke to registrants in the morning, and Daniel Kraus, who spoke to attendees in the afternoon. Five authors: Julie Clark, Chris Epting, Alka Joshi, Kaira Rouda, and Holly Goldberg Sloan, were invited to speak in breakout rooms, and could also be found signing their respective books at tables lining a hallway in the student union.

​Checking in between eight and nine in the morning, each registrant was given a nametag, which denoted which assigned table number they would report to and which author breakout rooms they had signed up for. As guests filed into the Titan Student Union’s Portola Pavilion, they made their way to their tables and helped themselves to coffee, water and a complimentary continental breakfast.

​In her opening remarks on stage, ALPHA Chair Suzanne Benet said, “I’ve been looking forward to this event for literally months and months now. My theme this year is ‘Open Books, Open Hearts.’ This seems appropriate for the occasion to celebrate how reading fosters empathy, connection, and inclusiveness. It emphasizes that literature expands perspectives, transforming minds and opening hearts to new possibilities, diversity, and understanding. This theme coincides with the goals of ALPHA to promote literacy, education, and community growth.”

​Benet explained that, as in years past, proceeds from the 2026 Day of Authors help fund ALPHA’s many charitable causes, which include: McKinney-Vento Students, Tiny Togs, Operation School Bell, Tara’s Chance Equine Therapy, Post-Secondary Scholarships, Classroom Library Books, and the Fullerton Police Explorers Academy Scholarship.

According to Vivien Moreno, one of ALPHA’s Resource Committee Co-Chairs for this year’s Day of Authors, ALPHA will be providing over 50 teachers with books for their individual classroom libraries this year.

Moreno said, “We purchase a birthday book to go to every McKinney Vento student in the Fullerton School District; it is chosen by a former elementary school teacher, and we deliver it wrapped. We have expanded our support of Tara’s Chance, which allows children who have communication challenges to share their stories with family and caregivers through horse therapy. We also support toiletries, and baby and toddler gift bundles of necessities that include books, because we know that it is difficult to concentrate on reading if you are worried about basic needs of clothing and self-care items.”

Each invited author gave a one-minute speech to introduce themselves and their work to attendees prior to keynote speaker Lisa Unger’s address during the opening reception in the morning. For the rest of the morning, book enthusiasts attended author breakout sessions and had the chance to purchase novels from the different authors and have them signed. Following lunch, author and screenwriter Daniel Kraus gave his keynote address. Afterward, ALPHA members announced the winners of their basket raffle, the results of their organization’s opportunity ticket drawings, and the silent auction.

Moreno said, “I enjoy our yearly ADOA fundraiser, because it feels good to be surrounded by people who love to read books and visit with the authors in such an interactive setting. Storytelling and story sharing are a fundamental part of being a human being to me…and I think it is worth the effort and money to help as many people learn to read as possible.”