Andrews – June saw local residents and Hoppy Trout Brewing Co. come together to raise funds for the Andrews Public Library to help buy new books and other items after the town’s recently proposed budget cuts for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Corey and Kam Thompson, the owners of Hoppy Trout on Main Street downtown, decided to hold a “round up your change” fundraiser on credit card transactions, along with fielding cash donations from both locals and tourists stopping in throughout the month as soon as they heard about the proposed cuts.
“We decided to match what was given through the ‘round up’ portion, and at the end of the month we had a total of $600, which is our biggest fundraiser to date,” Kam said. “Some people wanted to donate cash as well, so we accepted those donations for the library. We’re glad to help them out.”
“We’re neighbors, and we wanted to help because the library is such an important part of our community. Sometimes people don’t have the time or ability to help out or attend meetings, so we stepped in to fill that gap,” Corey added.
The Thompsons also held a “Brews for Books” day, featuring local musician Troy Underwood, where they donated a portion of the day’s sales to the fundraiser as well. Underwood was thankful to help make an “impact on the fundraising effort as well since the library is such an important resource for our town.”
The brewery has also offered other “round up” opportunities over the last 10 months to donate to both the Valley River Humane Society in Marble, Andrews Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7620 and the Valleytown Cultural Arts Center downtown. The duo has also designated July as a fundraising month for Reach of Cherokee & Graham Counties.
Library branch co-managers Kelly Bryant and Jacqueline Hulse were thrilled and humbled to receive the donation. It came on the tails of Bryant’s retirement from the library after 24 years of public service.
Bryant said she was amazed at the way the Thompsons have integrated into the community. She was thankful so many people in town recognized a way to give back to the library.
Hulse said the funds, along with those provided by Friends of the Andrews Public Library, have been used to purchase “over
119 books, which we would not have been able to purchase.
“We are so grateful to our friends in the town who have helped provide this much-needed support for our library. We had so many patrons stop in and let us know that they had both proudly supported us as well as a local business,” he added.
Friends of the Andrews Public Library works as a supplemental arm to provide funding for books, programs and material items for the library. The group is always looking for those interested to attend monthly meetings and become involved. Donations may also be made in person at the library, 871 Main St. downtown.
Details: Visit facebook.com/AndrewsPublicLibrary.