Hand in Hand: Metrocrest Services and Rotary Club of C-FB Build a Stronger Community Together

In the welcome area of the Metrocrest Services building, past the service desk and chairs, near the coffee bar, there’s a colorful mat and small white shelves that rise to about hip height on the average adult. Various children idle in the space, a few playing together on the mat while others browse the books available. One child, an elementary age girl, pulls out a book and sits down near the shelf, completely engrossed. When her family leaves later, the girl still has the book, tucked under her arm.

The little library was made possible by the Rotary Club of Carrollton-Farmers Branch (the C-FB Rotary) who partnered with Metrocrest Services to create the space in the agency’s new home.

One of the C-FB Rotary’s goals is to support students and literacy in the community. The club received a large donation of books from the Carrollton Farmers Branch school district and donated a portion to Metrocrest Services. What makes the little library unique is if a book resonates with someone, they’re encouraged to take it home to keep.

“I mean, every kid you know, they go to the doctor’s office or various waiting rooms and there’s a book and they have to leave it there,” Pat Cochran, Rotary Club member, noted. “The kids feel that connection to a book and love it and want to read it over and over again. I love that they’re able to take that with them and enjoy it at home as well.”

The partnership between Metrocrest Services and the C-FB Rotary extends beyond spreading the love of reading through the community. The C-FB Rotary also supports the agency’s community events and initiatives.

In September of 2023, Metrocrest held a Community Picnic and Resource Fair, an event aimed at bringing the community together for a day of fun and education.

“Everything offered at the event was free of charge. It was amazing to see families from a variety of backgrounds come together for a day full of joy and education,” shared Debbie Sutherland, longtime member of C-FB Rotary and volunteer at Metrocrest Services.

Sutherland spearheaded a community-wide effort to cook hundreds of hotdogs for the event. “We started at 600 hot dogs,” she said. “When we realized we might run out, Tracy went and got another 100.” In total, Sutherland helped prepare over 700 hotdogs in less than 2 hours, assembling and handing them out to Community Picnic and Resource Fair attendees. “I’m proud to say we had no hotdogs left.”

The relationship between Metrocrest Services and the Rotary Club of Carrollton-Farmers Branch is founded on their shared goals to support and serve the local community in any way possible. Together, they help tackle issues residents face and aid in lifting people up, with C-FB Rotary members contributing time, people, and donations.

“Metrocrest Services provides resources that are all encompassing,” Sutherland explained. “It’s not a short-term fix only,” she explained. “It’s ‘we are here with you, we’ll hold your hand, we will walk you through, and we’ll help you create a brighter future’.”

The little library has continued to be so successful that it has recently run out of books and is accepting donations. Any and all books are accepted, as long as they are in readable condition; there’s a particularly urgent need for children’s books. Donations can be dropped off at Metrocrest Services.