Last week was a whirlwind of voting, sharing, and encouraging for the library. On the one hand, it was amazing to have our Full STEAM Ahead grant submission advance to the voting stage.

Even more exciting and humbling was the overwhelming response of community, family, and friends who took time out of their lives to support our cause. Unfortunately, we will not learn the results until September 28, but until then, I can definitively say that we have accomplished so much.

• By voting at all, we have shown that literacy, education, experience, and opportunity for the members of our community matter.
• By keeping us in the top 20 for most of the voting phase, we proved that we may be little, but that we have big hearts.
• By actively promoting voting for a great cause, we refused to go down without a fight. We are active and committed. We are passionate and compassionate. We have a voice and we used it.

Most importantly, we did it together.

My first thanks goes to Michelle Cheeseman and Erica Volkir for gathering a group of individuals to brainstorm submission ideas for the State Farm Neighborhood Assist program way back in June. All the individuals at that meeting are passionate about our town and want so many great things for the residents of our community. Their input was helpful in shaping the grant submission.

My second and very heartfelt thanks goes to the wonderful staff at Meinders Library. Despite knowing the work ahead of them if we receive this grant, they were all in. Having a shared vision for our library and our community is amazing beyond words. I love my library ladies!

A third thanks circles back to the Chamber of Commerce–and more specifically to both Erica and Tom. Their promotional savvy and tireless support was and is unparalleled. I don’t know when they sleep, but I do know that our community is stronger with them in our midst.

I would be remiss in not thanking the school for throwing in with us on the Full STEAM Ahead idea and the impact we can make together in helping all our patrons reach their potential. School and public, adult and youth, educator, student, parent, business. Our goal is to facilitate a healthy and engaging lifestyle filled with opportunities and new experiences.

Finally, I would like to thank our entire community and all the circles of support that rippled out and reached across the country. I heard of votes rolling in from Washington, Texas, Virginia, Florida, Wisconsin, and Colorado.

Regardless of what September 28th brings, I am thankful for the awareness brought to our cause and the mobilization of everyone involved. We will keep you posted!