By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal

Do you owe a fine to the Hayneville/Lowndes Public Library?

Until Dec. 21, the “Toys and Cans for Fines Drive” will allow library patrons who owe library fines to do something good to clear their fines off the books.

“We are wanting to advertise the fact that we are accepting toys and/or canned goods to cover patron’s fines,” said Angela Wheeler, library director for the Hayneville/Lowndes Public Library.

She said the toys and canned goods would be given over the Good Shepherd Catholic Center, 1258 Main Street, Mosses.

“We are excited about the possibility of being able to help families in Lowndes County through this ‘Toys and Cans for fines’ drive,” Wheeler said. “Christmas is a time when we all should be looking for ways to give to others.”

She said everyone should know that they do not have to have fines to bring in toys or canned food items.

“If we are not open, we have a drop box,” Wheeler said. “Please feel free to drop the donations in our drop box. The ‘Toys and Cans for Fines Drive’ will end Dec. 21.”

Sister Rosemary Fonck and Sister Kathy Salewski said they and the staff at the Good Shepherd Catholic Center help to serve the needs of people in Lowndes County in various ways.

They said they are privileged to feed about 600 families with three food programs – the Mobile Pantry, Monthly Bags and Senior Boxes.

“Working with about 65 senior citizens in White Hall, Calhoun, Hayneville and Mosses gives an opportunity to pray, do arts and crafts, and share life and stories with them.” Fonck said.

She said three days a week, they have 27 children who seek homework assistance after school. And they “are blessed to serve children from Grades 1-8.”

When possible, Fonck said, they drive the big white truck to accumulate donations to be sold in the Price is Right store. As other needs arise, they try to be attentive and help where/when possible.

Fonck said they “feel blessed and honored to be with and serve so many wonderful people. What a joy it would be for patrons of the library to share canned food and toys with them.”

Fonck said the donations would be shared with the people they serve and bring smiles to many faces.

Wheeler said the library has also received a $7,000 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) collection grant to purchase up-to-date best selling fiction and non-fiction titles.

“We work very hard to provide the best possible services for those here in Lowndes County,” Wheeler said. “We have 10 computers with internet access for use by the general public. “

She said the library just received a new computer, which reads microfilm, which is helpful to those researching their ancestry in Lowndes County.

The library is located at 215B Tuskeena St., P.O. Box 425, Hayneville, AL 36040.