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Published Thursday, May 19, 2011 in Local

Operation Homefront to be part of reading program events

By W. WINSTON SKINNER

winston@newnan.com

The Coweta Public Library System will be adding a new, patriotic element to the summer reading program this year.

CPLS is connecting with Operation Homefront. At the Books and Barbecue Summer Reading Kickoff at the Coweta County Fairgrounds on Saturday, the libraries will have a banner that people can sign that will be sent to soldiers serving overseas.

Jimmy Bass, director of the Powell Library, said the banner will go “to a local soldier’s mess hall across the sea.” The Saturday kickoff for the summer reading emphasis coincides with Armed Forces Day.

Bass made the initial contact with Operation Homefront. He said the Operation Homefront representative “said a library had never done anything with them.”

Bass said Operation Homefront spends 95 percent of the money that comes to them on soldiers and their families. He also said Operation Homefront officials were excited about being involved in the summer reading event.

There will be a contest in all the CPLS libraries — Powell, Central, Grantville and Senoia — this summer. Participants will pay a dollar to participate, and the proceeds will go to Operation Homefront.

Bass said having Operation Homefront be a part of the summer reading activities fits in with the multicultural theme of the event — “One World, Many Stories.” There will be opportunities “to know more about where our military people are around the world,” Bass said.

Cowetans will “give good support for a great cause,” Bass predicted. “It’s going to be a win-win all around.”

Operation Homefront is a non-profit organization that has provided more than $92 million in emergency assistance to soldiers and their families since 1990. Key services include financial assistance, emergency food, emergency home repairs, home and appliance repair, furniture and household items, local moving assistance and Wounded Warrior Transitional Family Housing.

Operation Homefront also sponsors community events and helps with critical baby items — formula, food and diapers.

“We want them to know how much we appreciate every single thing they do,” said Machelle Hill, director of Central Library.

Jay Moore, chairman of the CPLS trustees, praised the library staff for coming up with the Operation Homefront connection. Moore termed the project “so awesome.”

“We want to give back,” Hill said. “It’s not just about get, get, get. It’s about what we can give back.”

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