Friends of the Oglethorpe County Library raised over $2,500 for the library at the fourth annual Christmas Bazaar and Book Sale on Dec. 7 at No. 3 Railroad St.
“It does go a long way to providing books, materials for activities and events themselves,” said Jean Westmacott, secretary of the organization.
The nonprofit organization met its goal, thanks to the volunteers who put together over 60 gift baskets to sell alongside the book sale.
“We always try to put a book in them too, because we're the library,” treasurer Lamara Martin said.
The gift baskets included items such as ornaments, jewelry, wreaths and health care products. Friends donated and created items for the baskets. The event raised more money than the 2023 bazaar.
“It was bigger and better, and the community really came out and supported us,” Martin said.
The friends aim to help raise money to donate to the library while promoting literacy in Oglethorpe County.
Branch manager Katherine Ratcliffe thanked the organization for its donations that “keep kids wanting to come to the library again and again.”
“One of the big goals of the Friends of the Library is to fund the summer reading program,” Westmacott said.
The donations go toward events, performers, snacks and extra materials or books.
“They’ve just put a tremendous amount of love and heart into it,” Ratcliffe said. “I’ve told them that every penny they make is a smile on a child next summer.”
In addition, the organization held several events, including an art show, bake sale and multiple book sales to support the library this year.
“We’re all committed to the benefit of the library itself, because we just love what the library does for the community, and we have a good time doing it,” Westmacott said.