The Power of Giving!

Opportunities for Everyone!

by Suzanne Moore, County Librarian

Ashe County Public Library is partnering with Ashe County Community Foundation on April 6, 2019 to host a “Power of Giving Opportunity Fair.”  Ashe County Community Foundation is an affiliate of North Carolina Community Foundation with twenty-two fund holders.   The ACCF, founded in 1995 is led by a local advisory board that helps build community assets through the creation of permanent endowments, makes grants, and leverages leadership – all for the benefit of Ashe County. 

Beginning at 10:00 a.m. the public is invited to visit and learn about opportunities for charitable giving and volunteering in the community.  At the time of this press release funders scheduled to attend the fair include: Ashe County’s Children’s Trust, Virginia S. Hunt Fund for the Care of Animals, Ashe County Board of Education, Melinda Hamrick Children’s Fund (Keep Ashe Warm), and Ashe Services for Aging Foundation. Representatives from these and other organizations will be on the library’s main and upper floors to meet with visitors and share information about their work.  ANY nonprofit organization or coalition interested in joining the fair should contact the library (336.846.2041 or SMoore@arlibrary.org). 

A Smart Money Story Time is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. for children of all ages.  Ashe County Commissioners have been invited to attend as readers and free books along with piggy banks will be distributed while supplies last. 

The Opportunity Fair ends with refreshments and a short presentation at 1:00 p.m. on the past, present and future of the library’s endowment.  Following the presentation join in conversation about Jenny Santi’s book, The Giving Way to Happiness: Stories and Science Behind the Life-Changing Power of Giving.

The message this event hopes to send is that giving, with time, expertise, money and/or skills can make a positive difference in the world.  When you make the world better for others, you make the world better for yourself too.  

Dates to remember in April:  The Library will be closed on April 19 and 20 for Easter.

Children’s Programs

• Baby Bounce meets every Friday at 10:30 a.m. for ages birth to 2 years. Enjoy stories, rhymes, bounces, and songs with a stay-and-play social time afterwards.
• Tot Time takes place at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays for ages 2 and 3. Wiggle, giggle, laugh, sing, and create. A fun-filled time featuring stories, music, and a craft.
• Storytime for ages 4 and 5 is at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday. Join us for ABC adventures with stories, art, and music.  

Teen Programs (ages 12-18)

• T for Teen – Gamers Unite! Meet-up at 4:00 p.m. on April 2. Xbox360 and laptops available for teen gaming.
• Board Game Café is open at 4:00 p.m. on April 9. Come and make some friends! Play a variety of board games and enjoy coffee and sweet treats.
• Open Studio takes place at 4:00 p.m. on April 16.  Discover your creative side!
• TLC (Teen Listening Council) hosted by A.S.H.E. (A Safe Home for Everyone), is a safe place for teens to talk openly about any subject.  Join us at 4:00 p.m. on April 23 for snacks, fun activities, and help in navigating those turbulent teenage years. 

Adult Programs

• Throughout 2019, VAYA Health is sponsoring a Public Presentation Series at the library.  Two topics will be highlighted, back-to-back, each month from 10:00 a.m. until noon.  Join us on April 4 for a session on Schizophrenia & Psychosis at 10:00 a.m. and The Many Faces of Antipsychotic Medication at 11:00 a.m.
• For all your tech troubles, book an appointment with our friendly reference librarians.  Call 336.846.2041 x227. 
• Yoga Club meets in the library’s downstairs meeting room at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays.
• Vickie’s Book Club meets at 1:00 p.m. on April 16 to discuss The Dream Daughter by, Diane Chamberlain.
• Brouhaha Book Club meets at 5:30 p.m. on April 29 in Boondocks Restaurant for “Books, Beer and Bookworm Babble.”  Come and find out what everyone has been reading lately!

All Ages

• Get Crafty meets at 10 a.m. on April 27.  Find out about the ongoing project “365 Days of Granny Squares,” bring along your current project, or join the group and start on a crafty project now!  All skill levels welcome, materials are provided.
• The Community Drum Circle meets at 5:30 p.m. on April 11 and 25.  Join the celebration of drums, while exploring the soul and spirit of music!
• Mountain Music Slow Jam will meet from 3:00-5:00 p.m. on April 6 in the downstairs meeting room. Songs are explained as to timing, breaks, etc… and played in slow time.  Designed for beginners, all skill levels are welcome.

Special Events

• Power of Giving Opportunity Fair will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on April 6. Join us to learn about opportunities for charitable giving and volunteering in our community.  Beginning at 1:00 p.m. enjoy refreshments and a brief presentation on how your contributions impact the library.  This program is co-sponsored by Ashe Community Foundation.
• Celebrate “Money Smart Week” with stories, piggy bank creations, and free books while supplies last at 11:00 a.m. on April 6.
• Storyteller, Revonda Crowe will entertain us with traditional storytelling of legends, fairytales and ghost stories at 11:00 a.m. on April 24 for the Friends of the Library monthly meeting.
• The Friends of the Library invite all to attend their 5^th Grade Poetry Contest Reception at 1:00 p.m. on April 13.  This year’s theme surrounds “Lost Words.”  Light refreshments will be served.
• Friends of Ashe County Library will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive from 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. on April 27.  Give the gift of life and donate today. 
• Building Strong Communities Discussion begins at 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. on April 29. Bring your sandwich and join us for coffee and snacks. In this session we will discuss concepts from Riane Eisler’s book: The Power of Partnership.  The author will join us via Skype for the latter part of the session.