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Friends of the Wylie Library announce $111,000 donation for outreach van, ESL stipend and GED programming
Summary
The Friends of the Library reported $37,251.52 raised in 2025 and announced an initial $111,000 gift ("Project Judy") to fund an outreach van, supplies, an ESL stipend and GED programming; the van is being customized locally and work is underway to insure and wrap it.
The Friends of the Wylie Library told the library advisory board on Feb. 23 that the group raised $37,251.52 in 2025 (including $5,865 from the book sale) and has received an initial $111,000 donation as part of a multi‑year contribution labeled "Project Judy." The Friends plan to use the gift to purchase and outfit a mobile outreach van, stock it with books and materials, pay a stipend for an ESL instructor and launch GED classes in the fall.
"We received our first donation, which is a $111,000," Friends president Lisonbee Stowe said, describing donor‑specified uses. Stowe said the Friends will re‑evaluate spending each year and hope to receive comparable installments for up to three years.
Library staff said the group has located a van and is working with a local customization shop in Wylie to outfit it; that shop donated labor toward the vehicle conversion. Staff added that the purchase, wrap quotes and insurance arrangements are in progress and that Friends funds have already been deposited.
Ophelia described the donor as having specific goals for outreach, literacy, ESL and GED support; the board discussed using the vehicle for outreach events, school district activities and community festivals. Staff noted the Friends intend the van to support regular outreach — including library card signups — and to be reevaluated annually for future funding allocations.
The Friends also said they will offer a stipend to the library's part‑time ESL instructor (Christy) and fund GED programming after procuring an instructor for fall classes. Collin College had previously helped with GED services but staff said that partner is currently unreliable, so the Friends plan to fund library‑run classes instead.
Board members congratulated the Friends and asked about timing; staff said the van is being outfitted now and will be ready after the conversion and administrative steps (insurance, wrap) are complete.
