TAKING UP TICKETS: JSL members collected money for raffle tickets, where everyone had the opportunity to win a Dallas Wayne Boot Company gift card and two collapsable buckets. 

THOMASVILLE- The Thomasville Junior Service League rounded up a crowd on Saturday night for an important cause: literacy. Endearingly called the Book ‘Scootin Boogie, the inaugural event raised money for the JSL’s summer reading initiative, the Reading Roundup.

JSL President Katie Rush explained that earlier this year, the League partnered with the YMCA to provide donated books at the sights of the summer feeding program.

“They would give us a location they would be serving meals at and we would meet them there and give out free books,” Rush said.

As a local teacher, Rush understood the need for continued reading outside of school, especially in the summer months, so students don’t fall behind. However, due to all the books being donated, Rush noticed there wasn’t a lot of variety, with most being geared toward younger children.

This prompted her and other members to look into ways to fund free, new books for kids of all ages. The idea resulted in the hosting of the Book ‘Scootin Boogie at the Thomasville History Center.

“The only way to continue providing books without donations is to have events like these,” she said. “This will give us the opportunity to provide books for kids of all different ages and even adults who may want to read.”

The event was a success, with guests wearing their best cowboy hats and boots, eating barbecue and purchasing raffle tickets in hopes of winning a $200 Dallas Wayne Boot Company gift card and two collapsable buckets.

Rush was excited with the turnout, especially with it being the JSL’s first time putting it on.

“I thought it went really well,” she said. “The setup was nice and it was a comfortable environment for everyone, both couples and families.”

Everyone in attendance was able to jam out to the Derick Flowers Band, who provided guests with great renditions of pop country songs.

Rush would love to see the band return for next year’s event, which they plan to make an annual happening.

When looking toward the future of the event, Rush would like to see it expand and the club sell more tickets.

“The more you raise, the more books you can buy,” she said. “It would allow us to buy books and possibly distribute them throughout the school year, rather than just the summer.”

Overall, Rush is just excited to kick off the full year of activities the JSL has lined up.

The League will host another Character Day at the Library in October, followed by the annual Red Nose Run in December and the inaugural Rose Ball in May to raise money for children’s swimming lessons, which are taught at the YMCA.

For more information about any of their upcoming events, Rush encourages visiting their website at www.thomasvillejsl.org