This West Michigan Businessman Made A $100,000 Donation To The Jamestown Library
There are updates about the Patmos Library in Jamestown. If you recognize the name, it is due to all of the news coverage since they lost their funding because of their millage.
There was controversy after community members wanted to get rid of certain books that have queer relationships, such as Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe.
As of right now, the tentative closing date for the library is in September 2024.
If you want the full story, you read the full article from Laura Hardy that discusses the entire story.
However, there is some positivity to this heartbreaking story.
The owner of the Derby Inn and founder/owner of MCA Equity Partners, LLC has stepped up to the plate.
Andy Wierda announced on his Facebook that even though he and his wife, Tracie, "have never set foot in the Patmos Library," he understands how libraries serve the most underserved people within the community.
Wierda mentions how his mother was a part of a group called "Friends of the Hudsonville Library."
"The whole group would donate lots of time to preserve the library. They would do whatever was needed, whether it was organizing books or fundraisers. She loved the library. I am not sure how she would feel about the books that are currently under fire at Patmos. She may have objected to some of them. What I do know is that she would think shutting down a whole library over it should not happen. She would have made a large cash donation...furthermore she would have started calling hundreds of people trying to garner support for the library."
Wierda continues in his Facebook post, explaining that this debacle is not about a library.
"This is about one group of people trying to impose their will over another. The Patmos Library happens to be the battleground this time."
He shares that when the millage was voted down for a second time, he was completely in shock.
"Had we thought that was a real possibility, we would have laid down some money leading up to it to help the YES side."
Once famous author Nora Roberts gave $50K to the cause, he was floored. Wierda went around to a few people saying if the millage failed, he would donate a "chunk of money."
"Now, it is time to put our money where our mouth is."
Andy and Tracie Wierda donated $100,000 to the Patmos Library. He even posted the cashier's check as proof.
"I also want to encourage those of you that may have been sitting on the fence to get your checkbooks out too."
We love to see this! Andy Wierda is a stellar guy!
