The Friends of the Sayre Public Library (FOTSPL) hosted their first annual Chili cook off and Silent Auction February 3rd at the Methodist Church in Sayre to help raise funds for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program.
“We had a great turn out for our very first time” says Dawnia Nalley, the President of the FOTSPL.
They worked for months to get this all planned and items for the silent auction. The FOTSPL would like to thank everyone who donated items, made cash donations, entered the cook off and helped work the event.
The Oklahoma Thunder donated a team signed basketball and memorabilia. The OKC Dodgers donated a signed jersey, Texas Rangers donated tickets to a game. We also had tickets from various places like Myrian Gardens, and Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks.
Local businesses such as Riverside Gardens, Great Plains National Bank, La’Donnas Wine and Spirits, Sayre Public Library, Gourmet Baskets, State Farm-Sayre, and Interbank of Sayre also donated to help our cause.
Many people don’t realize that the Dolly Parton Program cost the library money. It costs the library $1.10 per book per kid per month.
We had 10 entries for the chili cook off and Jerianne White took home the trophy, $150, and bragging rights with her “Nanny’s Chili.” Jerianne stated that she used her late mother’s chili recipe and it sure made her proud when that was the chili that won.
We are having more fundraisers during the year to help the library purchase a storage building. The Library Director, Sue Warnke, stated “We have collected many fundraising and seasonal items that are used on a yearly basis. We just have no room for anymore.
We also store books for the FOTSPL that takes up a big space for us.” The FOTSPL plan to host more fundraisers this year in hopes to get the library needs met.
Jerianne White
