Elaina Gunelson is a young lady who knows how to pursue a goal and work together to make things happen. After letting library staff know that she wanted to participate in the Junior Library Champions program to raise funds for the library campaign, she swiftly garnered the help of her Grandma Deb as well as two friends, Brycelynn and Raleigh, to hold the sale the next day.
Kids like Elaina helped us with the idea to create the Junior Library Champion program. The program is currently open until the end of September to any kids who wish to participate. As school starts, it’s a chance for kids to give back and show their commitment to community service. Scout troops and other youth organizations are also able to get on board and help by creating their own fundraising projects.
There are many different options to raise funds, limited only by imagination. Stop by the library for inspiration or ideas as well as a participation folder with a sign-up sheet that requires parental permission. Kids can also sign up online at https://forms.gle/KX8YQos3LoLncEyy5.
Libraries are essential for our youth, providing early literacy opportunities and sparking a love of reading and discovery as they grow. The Junior Library Champion program offers a key opportunity for young people to join the library mission, give back to the community, and learn about the value of philanthropy.
Elaina’s efforts provide a perfect example of the way that our young community members have taken the initiative to support the library in raising funds for this important project in their own distinct ways. Elaina and her friends made and sold bookmarks, pet rocks, bracelets, cookies, lemonade and iced tea. Although originally planned to be outside, the day for Elaina’s sale was pouring rain. Nothing daunted, the three young champions set up their sale inside the library and kept up a brisk business as community members stopped by to support their efforts for the library.
Thanks to Elaina’s initiative, her friends and Grandma Deb’s collaboration, and the generous support of the community, the Junior Library Champions raised $258 over the course of the afternoon. All the funds raised went directly to the library building fund.
Elaina, Raleigh, and Brycelynn saw a need in our community and took the next step to discover how they could help in a thoughtful and impactful way. Their creativity, passion, and hard work are truly inspiring. To join these amazing young people in their efforts and contribute to the campaign, please visit stanleylibrary.org/donate. We are so proud of our young library friends for joining the library’s mission to provide essential and accessible resources for lifelong learning for generations to come. Thank you, Elaina, Raleigh, and Brycelynn!