By Michelle Williams
Inspiration often appears in unexpected times, such was the case for Jerry Stevens. Stevens is a founding member of the Fishers Optimist Club, and served as the first president when the Fishers club initiated in 2010.
As a chapter of the Optimist International organization, the objective of the club is to bring out the best in children. Over the years, the Fishers group has partnered with Hamilton Southeastern Schools to help children obtain necessities like hearing aids and eyeglasses.
Stevens’ inspiration for a new way for his club to support kids came during a walk with his wife on the Monon trail when he spotted a Little Free Library. The Little Free Library is part of a global network of small box-style libraries that hold a small number of books. Books are available at no charge to the community, and the community is also welcome to contribute books.
“He thought since he and his wife walk down to Ritchie Woods all the time that it would be nice to put one there,” said Robin Heppner, board member for the Fishers Optimist Club. Stevens decided to install a library box at the nature preserve on behalf of his group, where it will be monitored and maintained by the members.
The Ritchey Woods free library will contain books relating to nature. Heppner explained that the library has no formal checkout system, and community members are free to borrow and return books as desired. The club’s aim is to encourage children in the community to borrow the books and learn about nature — while enjoying the opportunity to explore nature right within the preserve.
The group will dedicate the library on July 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve. Following the dedication ceremony, Stevens plans to register the new library with the Little Free Library Organization.
For more information about the Fishers Optimist Club, visit www.facebook.com/fishersoptimist. The club meets the first and third Tuesday of the month.
