Gr8ter Friends, Inc., formerly known as The Friends of the J. Joel Edwards Public Library, has changed its name to reflect on its new and broader mission.
We are a board driven non-profit that holds fundraisers to support our mission. We are supported by volunteers that help to make us a successful organization!
We serve the 8 counties within Southern Crescent: Pike, Spalding, Meriwether, Coweta, Fayette, Butts, Henry and Clayton.
Our mission is to empower and inspire the citizens and communities within Southern Crescent by advocating for equitable access to education, resources and opportunities.
Why the change? The expansion of our community organization to include Southern Crescent will allow our mission to have a broader impact beyond a single library. We will continue to support J Joel Edwards Public Library, but with this change we can include other libraries and learning facilities. A larger community will provide us with a larger pool of supporters and allow us to broaden our reach. This change allows us to grow with our community and not be limited by a single facility or county lines.
We are funded by multiple fundraisers held throughout the year, including the Valentine’s Dance in February and the Molena Bigfoot Fest and Elkins Creek 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run the second Saturday in November.
- President, Kim Funte
- Vice President, Bobby Bunn
- Secretary, Rebecca Parrott
- Board Member, Bonnie Frogner
- Board Member, Anthony Vinson
- Board Member, Catherine Funte
- Funded the monthly Teen Program
- Funded the Teen Book Box Program
- Funded the monthly Cooking with Kids
- Funded the monthly Adult DIY
- Funded Read Across America
- Funded the Donuts with Dads in April 2024
- Purchased books for the library
- Provided supporting funds for the Summer Reading program
- Santa Claus – Santa Joe 2025
- National Library Appreciation Week event
- Window Mural
- Volunteer Appreciation Week