Two volunteers awarded by Friends of the Fort Erie Public Library

At the Fort Erie Public Library Centennial branch on Tuesday, volunteers Sandy McDermott and Lynne Kumagai received the 2025 Maryann and Christopher Madden Memorial Volunteer Recognition Award.

The annual award from the Friends of the Fort Erie Public Library honours volunteers whose thankless work strengthens the library system and commemorates longtime supporters Maryann and Christopher Madden, whose memorial donations inspired the recognition program.

The two recipients represent different generations within the volunteer organization. McDermott helped establish the Friends group more than a decade ago, while Kumagai joined in 2023 and now serves as vice-president.

Over the past decade, the volunteer group has donated more than $100,000 to the Fort Erie Public Library system across its Centennial, Stevensville and Crystal Ridge branches. Donations support equipment, collections and programs that extend beyond the library’s municipal operating budget and provide free services to the community.

McDermott, a founding member of the Friends, told Fort Erie Radio the group began with small grassroots fundraisers in 2013 under early organizer Ann McLaughlin. The organization obtained official Friends of the Library status the following year.

“It’s come a long way from flipping burgers and running back into the Sobeys for more buns,” said McDermott.

Early fundraising included hot dog sales, art auctions featuring donated paintings by Margaret Feaver, spaghetti dinners and a golf tournament supported by Ed Chadwick. Volunteers also began applying for grants as the group grew.

Funding from those efforts has paid for equipment and programming across the library system. Recent contributions included $10,000 donated in 2024 and another $5,000 provided just in the past month.

The funds have helped purchase items such as a lectern, book club kits, sensory tables and other materials that support library programming for children and families.

“I’m overwhelmed. You don’t know what you’re doing at the time. You just keep saying, ‘I’ll help, I’ll help, I’ll help,’” said McDermott.

Kumagai joined the Friends in May 2023 and quickly stepped into leadership roles. She first served as secretary and later transitioned into the vice-president position.

Fellow volunteers credit her organization and planning with helping expand the group’s large used book sales, which require weeks of sorting donated books by genre and preparing displays before each event.

“Being chosen by my fellow volunteers means more than I can say,” said Kumagai.

Kumagai told Fort Erie Radio that recognition from other volunteers carries special meaning because the organization relies entirely on community members who donate their time.

“This award may have my name on it, but it truly reflects the spirit of all of the volunteers who make Friends such a wonderful group to be a part of,” Kumagai.

Friends of the Fort Erie Public Library president Susan Jacobs told Fort Erie Radio the recognition award was created to acknowledge the many volunteers who contribute work that the public rarely sees.

Jacobs explained that the award honours Maryann and Christopher Madden, longtime library volunteers whose contributions continued even after their deaths through memorial donations to the organization.

“Being a volunteer is very much a thankless job, and what better way than to give people a pat on the back who dedicate so much time,” she said.

The Friends continue to expand their fundraising and outreach activities throughout the year. Volunteers organize used book sales, community events and promotional activities that support the library system.

A major used book sale organized by the Friends is scheduled for April 25, and the group plans to host a trivia fundraiser on June 13 as part of its next round of community events, with more updates to come.

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