19-05-2025
Kingsville library benefits from lawn sale.
KINGSVILLE TOWNSHIP — Kingsville Public Library Lawn Sale fans were up early Saturday morning waiting outside the library by 8:30 a.m. for the scheduled 9 a.m. start to the sale.
The event was celebrating 49 years of social interaction in the community that draws a loyal crowd to the event.
The Friends of the Kingsville Public Library organize the event, which usually earns about $8,000 for the library, organization president Catharine McKibbin said. She said the organization hopes to make it even more special next year celebrating 50 years.
On Saturday, many people wandered Kingsville Township Park grabbing a bite to eat, learning of community projects on tap, purchasing items from crafters and attending the twice-a-year book sale in the Simak Welcome Center.
McKibbin said 57 raffle baskets were donated by area businesses, individuals and civic groups. She said the Friends of the Library donated almost $18,000 to the library last year.
The lawn sale is the group's biggest fundraiser, but it also hosts a fall harvest book sale and other events that contribute to the library, which uses the money for children's programming and other activities.
'It is a labor of love, and we started [putting things together] a week ago Thursday,' McKibbin said of the set up.
She said the organization meets at 1 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month at the library, and would love to have more members to assist.
Dave Kelley, a Kingsville Township resident, was selling a variety of wooden sculptures, including American flags.
'It's great,' he said. 'It gives me something to do.'
A small group of community members had a booth at the sale detailing fundraising plans to build a new gazebo on the township square.
Sharon Huey, Kady Infield, Debbie McCumber, Shawn Brunell and Jim Branch recently completed the creation of a 501(c)3 to help make the goal a reality, Infield said.
Infield said the group is in the infancy of fundraising, but the budget for the project appears to be in the $80,000 range, and would include a handicap ramp and materials designed to last longer.
'If it is successful, we can add to it,' Infield said.
