VALDOSTA — A Leadership Lowndes team has selected South Georgia Regional Library to support for its fundraiser project.

Each year, a 30-member Leadership Lowndes class represents a cross-section of active emerging leaders in the Valdosta-Lowndes County community. It is divided up into service project groups.

It is holding a reverse raffle and fundraiser at the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts Thursday, Aug. 31.

“Our existing building is outdated and no longer meets the needs of our community,” said Jeanna Allums, SGRL community librarian. “We spent a lot of time obtaining data through surveys and focus groups. We are excited to create a facility designed specifically for the needs of the people in this community.”

The relocation of the SGRL system’s main branch to Julia Drive is in Phase Two, which includes the interior build out of an existing building being renovated into the new main branch.

“We have funding for the actual building. We need funding for exterior improvements such as resurfacing the parking lot and landscaping. We hope that this event will lead to additional support,” Allums said.

Tickets for the event are $50 and Leadership Lowndes has a goal of $10,000.

“Most of our team members are parents involved in some way, shape or form with our children. We all can directly benefit from supporting the standard of the resources that the library offers the community,” said Courtney Gooding, Leadership Lowndes team member.

The members of the Leadership Lowndes service project team for the SGRL Julia Drive project are Courtney Gooding, Bush Wealth Management; Ellen Hill, Valdosta Main Street office; Keyara Hamilton, Goodwill Career Center; J.D. Dillard, South Georgia Regional Commission; Mark Mashburn, America’s Homeplace; Greg Moore, Commercial Real Estate Advisors.

Tickets are available at Bush Wealth Management. For more more information Courtney Gooding can be reached at (229) 472-7041.

LaShaunda Jordan is a reporter with The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at (229)244-3400 ext. 1257.