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01/06/2021 08:40 AMWho would be thinking about peach pits, the knobby center of the quintessential summer fruit, on a windy winter morning? Librarians from public libraries in Middlesex county, that’s who.
The librarians, brought together through a Zoom conference by the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, had not been told what the purpose of the session was. But Sharon Griffin of the Peach Pit Foundation knew. Peach Pit, her family’s foundation, was giving each of the 18 public libraries in Middlesex County a grant of $1,000.
Sharon Griffin and her husband Bill have long been members of the leadership council of the Community Foundation of Middlesex County. Leadership Council members all give at least $1,000 to further the community foundation’s mission to support those activities and organizations that help the people of Middlesex County thrive in a world growing ever more complex.
Every year the Griffin family, through the Peach Pit Foundation, sponsors a luncheon to welcome new members of the Leadership Circle. With pandemic precautions, there was no luncheon this year. Instead, Sharon and Bill Griffin decided to recognize and honor its members with gifts to the libraries.
“Libraries are an integral part of the community; they are a resource for all,” Sharon Griffin said.
“My mom said it all. We want libraries to keep on doing what they are doing,” added Jessica Griffin Scheff.
There are no restrictions on the gifts to the libraries, but Sharon Griffin said she hoped that the libraries would use the funds soon and do something to create more fun during a time replete with challenges.
Ivoryton Library Director Elizabeth Alvord said one idea for the money would be to put it toward supplies for the craft projects that the library has been creating for patrons during this pandemic period. The projects have been very popular with library users. Fun was on her mind, too.
“We are ready to party at the Ivoryton Library,” she said.
Essex Library Association Executive Director Deborah Smith thought the funds would go to services for families and young adults, but she said she would talk with her library team before making any decisions.
“We are delighted with the gift and want to thank the Peach Pit Foundation,” Smith said.
Stephanie Rush, children’s librarian at the Chester Library, said that she and Library Director Stephanie Romano and the library board were already emailing to discuss programming ideas for the money.
“We’re very excited,” Rush said.
Susan Rooney, director of the Deep River Library, did not participate in the Zoom meeting, but like all libraries in Middlesex County, the Deep River Library will receive the $1,000 grant. Deep River has also just received a grant of $23,200 in Corona Virus Relief Funds from the State of Connecticut. The funding, according to a press release from the Deep River Library, was intended to help underwrite costs for personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies, and other apparatus, like air filters, to protect people from acquiring or transmitting the corona virus.
Now, what about the Peach Pit? Sharon Griffin explained that the name came from a birthday card showing a turtle looking at a peach pit. The idea, she said, was that after the turtle went on its way, there was no telling what kinds of things could happen to that peach pit. And so it was with a gift. There was no predicting all the creative ways the money could be used.
So, on a chilly December morning, it was time to remember when the juicy summer peach has been eaten, even the humble peach pit can bring a gift.