Monthly Archives: June 2021
Spotlight: Nissan Foundation🔦
Today we are focusing our spotlight on the Nissan Foundation.
The mission of the Nissan Foundation is to build community by valuing culture diversity.
Awarding more than $12 million to nearly 150 organizations centered on promoting respect and understanding among cultural and ethnic groups, the 28-year history, this mission of the Nissan Foundation remains as strong and as relevant as it ever was.
Nissan Neighbors, a community-focused initiative that is dedicated to improving communities through charitable contributions and in-kind donations to nonprofit organizations works mainly within three focus areas: education, the environment, and humanitarian aid.
Their contribution to the Williamson County Public Library fits within the education component of their giving initiative.
To learn more about the summer reading sponsors, visit our Library Foundation’s website at: Sponsors — Williamson County Library Foundation (wilcolibraryfoundation.org,
✂️Successful Crafty Adult (and Teens)Class
Our first in-person craft class for both Adults and Teens was such a success we may be repeating it!
Our community members showed up to make animal toys for the dogs and cats in the Williamson County Animal Center – the spirit of giving is thriving in Williamson County. Tying the Summer Reading Program theme of Tails and Tales to promote awareness of the needs of our Animal Center was central to our objective and the turn out was tremendous. It was wonderful to meet new people and work together to benefit all of our county members, even the four-legged ones
First, we used old cotton (cotton blend) t-shirts to cut strips of material and then we braided those strips into dog tug toys of different sizes and colors. We also had supplies on hand to make little cat toys with catnip inside of them. We are lucky to have so many creative community members to help out here at the library and to benefit the Animal Shelter.
Keep an eye out for more information about another session soon.
Spotlight: CoreCivic Foundation 🔦
The Williamson County Public Library Systems offers an annual summer reading program that is open to Williamson County citizens of all ages. The program is made possible due to the generous support of many local sponsors. In appreciation of their efforts, we would like to share with you a little bit of information about each sponsor.
Today we are focusing our spotlight on CoreCivic Foundation.
As the philanthropic arm of CoreCivic, a portion of our mission of the CoreCivic Foundation is to support underserved youth. We accomplish this by providing time, resources, and service to nonprofit organizations working with these groups.
The Foundation aids nonprofit organizations that have a well-defined sense of purpose, a demonstrated commitment to maximizing available resources and a history of delivering quality services.
Over the past decade, the CoreCivic Foundation has raised more than $11 Million and given thousands of service hours to charities making a real impact in the lives of others.
To learn more about the summer reading sponsors, visit our Library Foundation’s website at: Sponsors — Williamson County Library Foundation (wilcolibraryfoundation.org)
Williamson County Health Department Moving Vaccine Distribution Out of the Williamson County Agricultural Center
Beginning Thursday, July 1st, the Williamson County Health Department will move vaccine operations from the Williamson County Agricultural Center to 1405-A Brookwood Avenue. The new vaccine site is located behind the health department’s Franklin Clinic and adjacent to the county’s administrative complex. Vaccinations will be available from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm for appointments and walk-ins.
For further information about hours of operations, please visit http://www.williamsonready.org/341/Health-Department-Vaccine-Distribution
Tennesseans age 12 and up are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals seeking a COVID-19 vaccine may schedule an appointment at vaccinate.tn.gov or search vaccinefinder.org to find a local vaccine provider in Williamson or surrounding counties.
The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. Learn more about TDH services and programs at www.tn.gov/health.
Adult-Crafty Video: Patriotic Luminary
We have a new Crafty-Adult Virtual craft tutorial available on the Williamson County Public Library Programs Playlist on the Williamson County TV (WCTV) channel on YouTube.
Put a few mason jars or candle holders to work this Fourth of July as table décor for picnics or parties. Simply use rice and food coloring to make the red and blue colors and layer it in your container. Watch the video for step-by-step directions.
There are a few cautions with this craft: this idea was discovered on Pinterest, but the directions were vague about measurements and timing. With our video you will find specifics in the step-by-step video made to walk you through it. This craft does not take a long time, maybe four to five hours – the majority of that time is for the rice to thoroughly dry. It also has the potential to be messy, so young children should be supervised.
While the goal was to find a craft specifically for the upcoming July 4th holiday, but with a change of rice colors (orange & black, green & red, etc.) it can be adapted to any occasion.
Safe celebrations! 🎉 🎉 🎉
Spotlight: Middle Tennessee Electric’s SharingChange Foundation🔦
The Williamson County Public Library Systems offers an annual summer reading program that is open to Williamson County citizens of all ages. The program is made possible due to the generous support of many local sponsors. In appreciation of their efforts, we would like to share with you a little bit of information about each sponsor.
Today we are focusing our spotlight on MTE’s SharingChange.
SharingChange is the name of Middle Tennessee Electric’s charitable foundation. The funds for this foundation are collected from Middle Tennessee Electric Cooperative’s members that choose to have their electric bills rounded up to the nearest dollar. Some members choose to donate a fixed amount as another giving option. Fitting with the principles of a cooperative of benefits of the enterprise return to the members rather than as profits for investors. The results are that all of the small individual contributions pooled together become enough to positively impact our communities.
One hundred percent of the donations made to SharingChange goes to local nonprofit organizations. Since its inception in 2003, MTE’s foundation has distributed more that $10 million to over 500 local nonprofits.
A small sample of the types of programs that have benefited from SharingChange are volunteer fire departments, ambulance and rescue squads, hospice programs, food shelves, youth programs, and storm emergencies that can include clothing, shelter, or medical needs. While donations are not limited to these kinds of organizations, they may not be used for political purposes.
We greatly appreciate MTE’s SharingChange sponsorship of our 2021 Summer Reading Program!
To learn more about the summer reading sponsors, visit our Library Foundation’s website at: Sponsors — Williamson County Library Foundation (wilcolibraryfoundation.org,
Happy Father’s Day!
Spotlight: Williamson County Library Foundation🔦
The Williamson County Public Library Systems offers an annual summer reading program that is open to Williamson County citizens of all ages. The program is made possible due to the generous support of many local sponsors. In appreciation of their efforts, we would like to share with you a little bit of information about each sponsor.
Who they are: The Williamson County Library Foundation’s mission is to support the library’s programs and services though advocacy, fund raising, and building relationships within the community.
What they do: As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization our goal is to enrich, not replace, tax-based support for the library through grants and gifts from individuals and organizations.
First known as the War Memorial Library Foundation, this supporting organization began in 1948, when Williamson County purchased a library collection from private individuals. Today the Foundation supports the main Williamson County Library, in addition to its five branches in Nolensville, Fairview, Bethesda, College Grove, and Leiper’s Fork. Examples of their support includes the Williamson County Public Library Summer Reading Program (since 2009), it supported the new Winter Reading Program, theater performances, historical programs, the purchase of AWE stations (self-contained learning environments) for children, provided Williamson County Public Library Systems with lovely murals by Marin Brenner at each of our Branches and much, much more.
You can find information about their contributions and initiatives for WCPL: Programs — Williamson County Library Foundation (wilcolibraryfoundation.org).
JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL: DOWNTOWN FRANKLIN
The Franklin Justice & Equity Coalition is making history with the first Juneteenth Festival in downtown Franklin, Tennessee.
On Saturday, June 19, 2021, the festival will kick off downtown at 10 am and last until 4 pm. There will be live music from two main stages and feature guest speakers.
This event is family friendly, with plenty of food trucks and over 40 vendors.
There will also be a Juneteeth Celebration taking place at Pinkerton Park from noon until 3 pm.
Please visit the City of Franklin calendar for more details as the event gets closer!
Juneteenth is a day of commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, it is often referred to as the Black Independence Day. It is recognized as a state holiday or observance in forty-seven states and the District of Columbia. Although the push to have it named as a Federal holiday has not been successful, the last four U. S. Presidents have made remarks about its observance. Over the course of 155 years, Juneteenth has become a global event.
Observances are usually community events, including parades, cookouts, picnics, festivals, marches, and prayer vigils. Given the current protests concerning the systemic racism that permeates our American culture – with the focus on police brutality and a biased criminal justice system, June 19th or Juneteenth takes on special significance. This day is to recognize African American freedom and achievement and take the time to promote and cultivate our appreciation of the diversity of cultures. In recent years, the celebrations have been global, as the sacrifices to achieve freedom are still ongoing.
The state of Tennessee passed legislation in 2007 (Tenn. Code Ann. §15-2-113 (2007) to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday.