Bainbridge Island author Bob Royce will debut “For My Waiting Hand,” a book of poetry and sketches by his late wife Millie Royce at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 8 at the Poulsbohemian Coffeehouse (19003 Front St., Poulsbo).

The book launch will include some readings by fellow poets, explained Bainbridge author and “For My Waiting Hand” coeditor Beverley West, with all proceeds going to support Si a la Vida, an organization that assists street children in Nicaragua.

“Milly was involved with that from its beginning,” she said. “Bob will read some of the poems, as will Jan Pritchard-Cohen and Kathy Langhorn, who will also read their own.”

Royce, 93, served for eight years in the Merchant Marines, became a librarian, and moved with his artist/writer wife, Millie, to Puerto Rico for 27 years. There they sailed, opened an artists’ commune and an art shop.

In 1987, they moved back to Seattle, where he worked in the public library system for eight years before retiring. Meanwhile, they helped found Si a la Vida to benefit homeless kids in Nicaragua. They later moved to Bainbridge Island.

In 2007, Millie suffered a recurrence of breast cancer and died two months later. They had been married 55 years

Kathryn Keve is the book’s graphic designer. The editors are Nancy Rekow, Everett Thompson, Royce and West.