Gift to increase children’s collection
The Kinston-Lenoir County Friends of the Library have announced the receipt of a grant award of $1,000 from the Wells Fargo Foundation Community Partner Program for improvements to the La Grange Public Library.
Jamie Martin, store manager of Wells Fargo in La Grange, made the presentation to Agnes Ho, Director of Libraries. The funds are to be applied toward increasing the Children’s collection at the La Grange Library.
“On behalf of Wells Fargo Bank in La Grange and our team members, it is with great pleasure to award the Friends of the Library in Lenoir County a gift in the amount of $1,000 to be used for the Children’s Department at the La Grange Branch Library,” said Martin.
“As citizens of La Grange and Lenoir County, all of us at Wells Fargo in La Grange are so happy and honored to be able to assist the library with the purchase of some new children’s books. Having a local, vibrant library in our community is truly a privilege and without the library’s patrons in La Grange and through charitable giving through the Friends of the Library, that privilege could be taken from us.”
Ho expressed appreciation for the gift.
“We are ecstatic to receive this grant award from such a well-regarded and community-minded business,” said Ho. “Wells Fargo and its Charitable Foundation are pillars of our community and we are extremely grateful for their continued support of our mission. Their contribution will help ensure that the children of our community enjoy a brighter future through literacy, learning and education. We look forward to continuing to work with them towards improving the cultural landscape of community.”
For more information about the La Grange library, call 252-566-3722.
Hospital promotes therapist
Pete Balent was recently promoted to director of Therapy Services at Lenoir Memorial Hospital.
Balent was employed by Lenoir Memorial in 2000 as an occupational therapist and served as senior occupational therapists from 2005-2011. He was promoted to Rehab Services Department Manager in January 2011.
Balent is a 1999 graduate of ECU with a degree in Occupational Therapy. He is an avid ECU fan and attends as many games as possible. He also enjoys games, Do-it-yourself projects and cooking.
He is married to Amber Stallings and has a son Nicholas, age 6.