Latasha Everson/Reporter
CNHI
OCILLA —
Ashley Alderman, 11, of Ocilla will be raising funds Saturday, Sept. 11, for the Irwin County Public Library in Ocilla. This young girl’s love for her local library has given the library’s manager, Deborah Moorman, an optimistic view of today’s youth.
“She’s my adopted granddaughter,” Moorman said. “The world better watch out for her, because she’s going to do great things. She just wants to make a difference. She’s been too good in my life.”
Alderman’s parents, Chuck and Teri Alderman, couldn’t be any prouder of what their daughter is doing. Ashley’s mother said her daughter regularly visits the library, which is located across the street from their residence. On grandparents' day, Alderman needed a grandparent to invite to her school for lunch. Therefore, she thought of Moorman and decided to ask her.
“We’re really proud of her,” her mother said. “Our kids are always over there and Ashley knows all the librarians’ birthdays.”
Alderman, with the help of friends and family, will be selling lemonade, hot dogs, hamburgers, sausage dogs, popcorn, cupcakes, peanuts and pizza by the slice from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 11 at her parents’ restaurant, Brick Oven Pizza. The lemonade will cost 50 cents and everything else will cost $1. Alderman is calling this fundraiser, “Eat and Read.” All proceeds from the sale will be used to help the library.
The family is already receiving plenty of support from the community with local banks and businesses donating money and a local citizen offering to bake cookies and cupcakes for the fundraiser.
Moorman said that Alderman came up with the idea herself without her input.
“It was her entire idea. She’s a wonderful and awesome child. We have this librarian/grandmother relationship,” Moorman said. “She apparently likes me, I guess because I hook her up with books.”
This sixth grader loves her library and understands the importance of keeping it open.
“I knew they were tight on money,” Alderman stated. “The tax people are killing them. They have to shut down the computers at a certain time. I wanted to help them out. It feels good to help.”
