By LaKesha W. Joyner, Braswell Memorial Library
Throughout the month — July 1-31, 2017 — Braswell Memorial Library will be hosting Operation Gratitude Collection Drive to send care packages to our troops.
The library will be collecting donations for active-duty military through Operation Gratitude. Operation Gratitude annually sends 200,000 plus care packages to deployed troops. Items that may be donated include:
- hand sanitizers (1 to 3 oz. size)
- lip balm (with extra seal)
- mouthwash (travel size)
- sunscreen (non-aerosol)
- individual packs of tissues, moist towelettes, cotton swabs, shampoo, lotion, body wash, and other travel size toiletries/hygiene products
- 4 pack of “AA” batteries
- Small Plush Toys (6 inches or smaller)
- socks (black, brown, green, or tan; not white)
- single-serve drink mix packets
- gum/snack foods
- batteries in 4-packs (AA, AAA)
All donated items must have a shelf-life/expiration date of at 6 months from the date of receipt. Personal letters to Deployed Troops, handmade items, and children’s drawings will also be accepted as part of the collection. Handmade items may include useful wearables such as knitted or crocheted hats/scarves, bandana cool-ties, and paracord survival bracelets (how-to).
Donated items can be dropped off at Braswell’s Customer Service Desk on the first floor, or the Information Services Desk on the second floor. The library plans to ship all donated items to Operation Gratitude in California on August 1, 2017, and from there Operation Gratitude will ship the items to the deployed US troops.
For more information about Operation Gratitude visit www.OperationGratitude.com or call Kesha Joyner 252.442.1951 x.253.
Veteran’s Reception
Additionally, the library is holding a Veterans’ Reception on July 27, 2017, 3-5pm, in the library’s Warner Meeting Room. The reception will honor all veterans living in Nash and Edgecombe counties. The program will include veterans sharing their experiences and stories, light refreshments, and a small token to thank veterans for their service.
Adult Services Librarian, LaKesha Joyner, will host this event, to provide service members the opportunity to gather with fellow veterans and enjoy the day. Says Joyner:
“We want as many veterans as possible to attend the event, so they know we appreciate their service.”
If attending this reception, donations to Operation Gratitude may be dropped off during the Veterans’ Reception.
Braswell Memorial Library is located at 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount, North Carolina. To find out more about the collection drive and adult library programs, call Ms. Joyner at 252.442.1951 x.253. The library is online at braswell-library.libguides.com, and offers programs for adults, teens, and young children.
Summer Adult Programs
In addition to the month-long collection drive for US troops, Braswell Memorial Library offers these upcoming Adult Programs:
- NC Humanities Council Lecture
July 22, 2017 @ 2-4pm
Road Scholar John Beck, PhD presents “The Changing South: Who’s Benefiting, Who’s Losing” in the library’s Warner Meeting Room.
- Good Reads Book Club
July 24, 2017 @ 10:30am-12pm
The book club will be discussing “The Wonder” by Emma Donoghue in the Wiley Room. If you are interested in joining the Book Club, contact Kesha Joyner at 252.442.1951 x.253.
- Authors in August
August 5, 2017 @ 10am-5pm
Join local authors for a book presentation and book signing/book selling event, to be held most of the day in both the Warner and Wiley Rooms.
