March is here again, and there’s still time to donate to Great River Regional Library’s annual ‘Locally Growin’ fundraiser. The goal of the fundraiser is to help each GRRL branch raise money for special items for their library.

The Locally Growin’ campaign keeps donations 100 percent within the branch library of the donor’s choosing. Each library selects a specific “wish” item or program and a campaign goal. Over $28,000 was raised around the region in 2023 to support a wide variety of goals. Each library’s goal is unique and focuses on their community’s interests and needs.

Each of the 32 branches in the GRRL system has its own unique goal and special wish list of items it would like to purchase that focus on its community’s interests and needs, including the area’s local libraries in Clearwater, Becker, and Big Lake.

Clearwater Library’s fundraising goal this year is $1,200. All the money raised will be used to purchase juvenile book series and Wonderbooks, which are print books with ready-to-play audiobooks inside. Kids press play to read along with their favorite books and then switch to learning mode for literacy learning and fun. 

Becker Library has a goal of $1,000. They’re raising funds to purchase Wonderbooks, pickleball kits, and Tiny Tots program resources. They’ve also partnered with Sherburne State Bank and Pebble Creek Golf Course. 

“We thank Sherburne State Bank for their $250 donation and Pebble Creek, who will be donating 10% of the food and beverage sales from Sunday, March 17 to Becker’s Locally Growin’ Campaign,” said Becker and Big Lake Library Services Coordinator Hilary Dawson.

Big Lake Library’s goal is $500. The funds they raise will be used to purchase Wonderbooks and Play Aways, which are pre-loaded audiobooks on a device that does not require internet. They’ve partnered with the Big Lake Legion and Riverwood Bank.

“We would like to thank the Big Lake American Legion for donating $500 and Riverwood Bank for donating $100,” said Dawson.

GRRL’s Locally Growin’ fundraiser has become an annual March event. All donations, no matter the size, help the libraries get closer to reaching their goals. The donations are tax-deductible and can be given directly to the Clearwater, Becker, and Big Lake Library service desks or donated online at griver.org/library-news/locally-growin-2024. 

GRRL provides library services at 32 public libraries in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, and Wright Counties. GRRL supplies the residents of Central Minnesota with nearly one million books, CDs, and DVDs, 250 public computers, programming, and information services.