Fort Gay community gathers to dedicate a Little Free Library

THE FAMILY OF the late Linda Salmons gathered along with community friends, DAR members and family members to dedicate the Linda Salmons Memorial Little Free Library on Sunday, May 26, at the Fort Gay United Methodist Church. Pictured are her granddaughter, Annie Salmons, Fort Gay Mayor, Joetta Hatfield, her son, Bret, daughter-in-law, Gina and grandson Noah Salmons. Submitted photo

FORT GAY, WV — To advance the love of reading to the next generation, and to honor a beloved member of the community, DAR members, family, and friends come together to dedicate the Linda Salmons Memorial Little Free Library on Sunday, May 26.

Memorial Day Weekend was made even more meaningful this year, when nearly 50 people gathered to pay tribute to the late Linda Salmons and officially open a Little Free Library in her memory. Linda passed away unexpectedly last July and was a much-loved Fort Gay community member. Linda enjoyed her time working as a school secretary in Wayne County for many years and was an avid reader. She was also a member of the Dr. Elisha Dick Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Alexandria, Virginia, which her daughter-in-law, Gina Salmons, has served as Regent for the past two years. “What better way to honor her legacy than by doing something like this for her, for children, and for the community?” Gina said.

The idea for the library came when Gina’s chapter members wanted to send flowers for Linda’s funeral. Gina extended her immense gratitude, but wondered if the ladies would like to help her with a more lasting tribute that also coincided with Linda’s love of reading and an objective of the DAR: ensuring better educational opportunities for children, including increasing book access and literacy. The members enthusiastically agreed and spent several months fundraising and collecting over 65 patriotic children’s books as an initial donation. Once the library was purchased and delivered to Linda’s granddaughter, Annie Salmons, Mayor Joetta Hatfield worked with the family to find a suitable place for installation. The well-traveled, and visible corner of Broadway and Louisa Streets was chosen. Once the library was stocked, Reverend Kyle Peake of the Fort Gay United Methodist Church opened the ceremony with a prayer. Gina offered a tribute to her mother-in-law, and Linda’s grandson, Noah Salmons, led the ribbon cutting ceremony.

“Linda was a wonderful example of friendship, sisterhood, motherhood, and Christian womanhood at its finest. All of us who knew her were incredibly blessed and I hope we all continue to carry out what she knew our life’s purpose to be: to love God and love others, wholeheartedly, unashamedly, with all the days we have on this earth. Let this be her legacy: love. So much love.” said Chapter Regent Gina Salmons. She went on to say, “At a time when libraries are under threat of being defunded in many parts of the country, and digital media has devalued the printed word, it is gratifying to see the Little Free Library movement take off. This library is the newest of the more than 150,000 in a nationwide network, and what we hope will be just the first of many in the area… [This library] not only promotes the objectives of the DAR, but also is a wonderful way to extend Linda’s legacy of loving service to her community and love of reading to children everywhere.”

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a non-political, non-partisan women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. Today’s DAR is dynamic and diverse, with over 185,000 members in 3,000 chapters in the United States and abroad. DAR members annually provide millions of hours of volunteer service to their local communities across the country and world. DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Over one million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890. If you are interested in learning more about DAR membership, visit DAR.org or DrElishaDickChapterNSDAR.org.

Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota, whose mission is to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-exchange boxes. They envision a Little Free Library in every community, a book for every reader, and believe all people are empowered when the opportunity to discover a personally relevant book to read is not limited by time, space, or privilege. For more information, visit LittleFreeLibrary.org.