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Freedom to read Subhead Meridian public library’s fundraiser collected $10K-plus News Staff Wed, 04/24/2024 - 05:43 Image

• Meridian Public Library board member Kate Brasfield displays a George Hallmark painting during the Jewels and Jeans Fundraiser for the library at the Meridian Civic Center on Saturday night, April 20. Nathan Diebenow | Meridian Tribune
• The Meridian Civic Center was packed with supporters of the Meridian Public Library for the library's annual Jewels and Jeans Fundraiser on Saturday, April 20. Nathan Diebenow | Meridian Tribune
• Talon Clift (from left) and Meridian Public Library board member Darci Allen team up to announce the winners of the stretch raffle during the Jewels and Jeans Fundraiser for the library at the Meridian Civic Center on Saturday night, April 20. Nathan Diebenow | Meridian Tribune
• Meridian Public Library board member Darci Allen displays a George Hallmark painting during the Jewels and Jeans Fundraiser for the library at the Meridian Civic Center on Saturday night, April 20. Nathan Diebenow | Meridian Tribune

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The Meridian Public Library’s annual Jewels and Jeans Fundraiser raised over $10,000 on Saturday night, April 20, at the Meridian Civic Center.

The guests enjoyed a catered dinner with a Hawaiian theme before bidding on live auction items and stretch raffles donated by generous members of the community.

Executive Director Marianne Woerner welcomed the guests and thanked the members of the library’s board as well as the library staff for assisting with the fundraiser.

“We’re so happy you came out in this weather, and we’re going to have a wonderful evening,” she said.

Woerner gave a huge thanks to the community members, business partners, as well as the congregation from whom the library recently purchased a building for its new location in historic downtown Meridian.

“We need to thank the members of the Lighthouse Baptist Church for making this possible,” she said.

In addition, Woerner thanked Sydney Carlisle and Mark McMahon for their assistance with the library’s move and the new building’s current renovation.

“Hopefully this summer we will be in there, so you’ll get invites for a wonderful, glorious new building sometime in 2024.”

At a table, Woerner further explained to guests about the library’s plans for raising funds for the renovation project at 201 North Main Street.

After the blessing by Jerry Mobley, the guests dined on Hawaiian pulled pork, Huli Huli chicken, pineapple salsa, rice pilaf, and Asian-sauteed green beans and carrots.

The proceeds from the dinner and auctions go toward the library’s annual operation budget.

The library’s board members are Darci Allen, Kate Brasfield, Lori Choate, Kerry Hicks, Jeanette Kattner, Dianne Mobley, Sayra Schartz, and Dana Williams. The library assistant is Andy Williams.

The sponsors for the fundraiser were in four levels: diamond, emerald, ruby, and sapphire.

The diamond-level sponsors were Rick and Jan Goon, Jane Murphey, Union Hill Ranches (Chip Stanley), and Whiskey Canyon Ranch (Lissa Noel Wagner).

The emerald-level sponsors were Linebarger Goggan Blair & Simpson LLP, Don and Mary Beth McMahon, and Meridian Creek Ranch (Kim Upfield).

The ruby-level sponsors were Michale and Jennifer Biry, Bosque Veterinary (Mark and Kathy Jackson), David and Virginia Christian, City of Meridian, Todd and Belinda Clift, Bill and Mary Dillard, First Security State Bank, Mario and Sherrie Garza, Larry and Beverly Lawson, Don and Ruthellen Mason, Jerry and Joyce Phelps, David Stockard, and Wanda Wilkins.

The sapphire-level sponsors were Pat Farrell, Clay Feller, Lhoist North America, Dan and Doylene Markman, and Meridian Masonic Lodge No. 268F.

The dinner was catered by Rockin K&C BBQ & Catering, LLC.