Block party time

On Aug. 16, Homewood Public Library will begin its efforts to become Homewood’s center of culture. The newly formed Homewood Library Foundation Board will host its first event, a Block Party fundraiser.

After attaining its non-profit status last December, the Foundation Board set out on its mission to help the library raise funds for its future projects. 

“I wanted the library to become the cultural center of the community,” said Board Liaison Dr. Paul Doran, who came up with the idea to start the foundation. “You can’t do that on a meager budget.”

With the recession, funds for the library had dropped, and the likelihood of completing future projects had become less of a reality. 

“Money is tight, and revenues aren’t as good as they used to be,” Foundation member Hunter Payne said.

Considering the success of community events such as the Exceptional Foundation’s Chili Cook-off and the Kick’n Chick’n Wing Fest, the Board chose to organize a block party to get people from the community involved. They hope to be able to attract a wide audience of people who use the library and its resources, as well as those who do not regularly use the facility but see its importance in the community. 

The event will be held Aug. 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Homewood Public Library, 1721 Oxmoor Road. 

Live music will be provided by the band Greg and Brian, and entertainment will be available for children. Admission to the event is free, but food and drink prices will vary. 

Hunter’s Cleaners will donate a pig roast from The Little Donkey. Tickets for the pig roast will be available for purchase before the event for $20. Hot dogs, grills and water bottles will be donated by Piggly Wiggly. The hotdogs will be $2 and available for cash purchase on the day of the event — with all proceeds going to the library, of course.

With fundraising events such as the Block Party, the Foundation hopes to be able to provide for the library’s patrons and community. 

Some of its goals include creating a theater for cultural and community events, refurbishing a meeting room to create a more comfortable environment, developing an information services area and lighting the library’s front sign and surrounding area with new lights. 

“We constantly want to uncover needs and wants of people in the community,” Payne said.

For more information, visit homewoodpubliclibrary.org, call Fran Jones at 790-7050 or email fransumnerjones@gmail.com.