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Library hosts Disney Princess and Super Hero fundraiser
By Sean Barron
POLAND
Samantha Sodeman enjoyed being Princess Sofia, a popular princess in purple.
“Having a never-ending supply of books from the library is a plus,” said the 5-year-old North Jackson girl’s mother, Catherine Sodeman.
Samantha dressed the part – and her mother donated a book – for Saturday morning’s fourth annual Disney Princess and Super Hero breakfast fundraiser at the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, 311 S. Main St.
The cost was $15 per child to attend the 90-minute event, the proceeds of which are to go toward the library system’s children’s reading programs. Participants also were asked to donate gently used children’s books that will go to the Friends of the Library organization, noted Deborah Liptak, the PLYMC’s development director.
In addition, each youngster received a free ticket to the Disney on Ice show “Dream Big,” which runs Dec. 7-10 at the Covelli Centre in downtown Youngstown, said Liptak, adding that Saturday’s event drew at least 100 kids.
Also accompanying Samantha and her mother was Samantha’s 3-year-old brother, L.J. Sodeman, who favors books about race cars and construction equipment such as bulldozers and excavators, Catherine said. She also reads to her two children nightly, and Samantha has begun reading back to her, Catherine continued.
Many of the children – and a handful of adults – dressed as Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, a Ninja Turtle, Spiderman, Mickey Mouse and other popular superheroes and Disney characters. Standing next to a life-size cutout of Hulk, a superhero in “The Avengers” series, were Stephanie Ellsworth of Poland and her daughter, Sofia Angiuli, 2, who was dressed in a pink Power Ranger costume.
“She loves books,” Ellsworth said of Sofia. “We have a whole bookshelf of books; we read at least 20 minutes per day.”
Ellsworth added that being read to is having a discernible impact on her daughter. As a result, Sofia has begun pointing out things in and interacting with the books she’s exposed to, her mother said.
For her part, Ellsworth donated to the library one book in the popular “Pinkalicious” series by Victoria Kann.
Among those who weren’t shy about displaying their favorite characters for others were Mia Boila, 4, and her sister, Lily, 7, of Austintown, who dressed as a princess and Batgirl, respectively. Also on board with the dress-up idea was the girls’ father, Dave Boila, who went as Spiderman.
A few Disney characters made an appearance at Saturday’s family-friendly gathering, including Cruella de Vil, the main antagonist in the classic 1956 novel “The One Hundred and One Dalmatians,” by Dorothy “Dodie” Smith. Cruella also appears in several Disney film adaptations.
Also reading to many of the youngsters was Ryan Martino of Youngstown, who, along with his father, Tom, competes on the National Hot Rod Association circuit. He read aloud “Good Night Race Cars” by Adam Gamble and Mark Jasper, as well as “Race Car Count” by Rebecca Kai Dotlich.
The NHRA is a Glendora, Calif.-based organization that sets the rules for drag racing and hosts such events throughout the U.S. and Canada.
“We’re very actively involved in the public library,” the younger Martino said. “It’s an essential tool, not only for kids, but for adults.”
In addition, events such as Saturday’s breakfast are solid ways to “spark kids’ interest in the library and to use its resources,” Ryan continued.
Another attraction for the children and adults was a two-horse carriage, courtesy of Ashtabula-based Best Horse & Carriage, next to which many families posed for pictures.
The PLYMC hosts a variety of free reading programs all year, and it’s important to continually provide opportunities to deepen and reinforce the public’s interest in the system, said Liptak, the development director.
“We always need people to love and support their library,” she added.