Submitted photo Elegant surroundings and little black dresses abounded at the Lake Club for the annual Ladies in Little Black Dresses for Literacy fundraiser benefitting the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. RIGHT: Struthers Mayor Cercone Miller, left, and Carole Weimer, PLYMC Board president, attended.

POLAND — More than 300 community members gathered at The Lake Club in Poland on Thursday for an evening of celebration, fellowship and philanthropy during the annual Ladies in Little Black Dresses for Literacy fundraiser benefiting the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

Hosted in partnership with The Library Foundation of Youngstown and Mahoning County, the event featured dinner, hors d’oeuvres, wine, raffles, a book swap, local vendor boutiques and musical entertainment, all in support of literacy programs throughout Mahoning County.

This year’s fundraiser focused on supporting PLYMC’s Summer Discovery program, an initiative designed to help children, teens and adults continue reading and learning throughout the summer months.

Attendees filled the ballroom at The Lake Club, making the event one of the library’s most successful and well-attended annual fundraisers.

“Ladies in Little Black Dresses is a celebration of the power of women coming together to invest in literacy and the future of our community,” said Mandy Shina, donor relations manager for PLYMC. “Every dollar raised directly supports literacy programs throughout our community and helps open doors for lifelong learning.”

Shina said the event has evolved into a cherished community tradition.

“What began as a fundraising event has evolved into one of PLYMC’s signature events, bringing together hundreds of supporters who share a passion for literacy and lifelong learning,” she said. “Year after year, supporters continue to return, bring friends and introduce new people to the cause, helping the event grow both in attendance and in its ability to make a difference.”

Aimee Fifarek, director and CEO of PLYMC, expressed gratitude for the strong turnout and support shown by the community.

She noted that fundraising events such as Ladies in Little Black Dresses are essential to sustaining and expanding programs like Summer Discovery, which provide free educational opportunities and reading incentives for residents of all ages.

The Summer Discovery program encourages participants to build reading into their daily routines through July 31. Readers who complete 45 days of reading receive a free prize book. Participants also receive a Summer Discovery tote bag while supplies last and can collect special branch buttons by visiting library locations throughout the county.

The program has demonstrated significant impact in recent years. In 2025, Summer Discovery attracted 5,505 participants, a 30 percent increase over the previous year. Participants logged more than 106,900 days of reading, while 75 percent reported reading more frequently because of the program and all participants surveyed indicated they planned to return.

During the 2025 program, PLYMC hosted more than 1,100 educational programs and distributed approximately 3,100 free books.

“These results represent children discovering the joy of reading, families learning together and adults strengthening lifelong literacy habits,” Shina said. “We are grateful to our donors and supporters who make this kind of impact possible in our community.”

Struthers Mayor Cat Cercone Miller addressed attendees and spoke about the important role libraries have played in her own family’s appreciation of literacy and lifelong learning.

She also highlighted plans for a new library in Struthers.

“It is an investment in possibility, just like we stress in everything going on in Struthers,” Cercone Miller said. “Every book on its shelves, every program it offers and every child who walks through its doors represents an opportunity to learn, dream and succeed. By investing in literacy today, we’re building a stronger Struthers for tomorrow.”

Many attendees shared similar sentiments about the value of reading and libraries.

Melissa Capple of Canfield, Tracy Walters of Champion, Are Mezo-Chukwu of Canfield and Quiana Shipman of Hubbard attended together as representatives of United Network Alliance, a regional nonprofit organization serving adults with developmental disabilities. The group emphasized the importance of literacy and reading in personal development and lifelong success.

Jim and Pat Pierone of Lake Milton also attended the event. Pat recalled frequent childhood visits to the library, experiences that helped cultivate a lifelong love of reading. The couple said they were proud to support the Summer Discovery program and the opportunities it creates for local families.

Representatives of the Youngstown Foundation, including Mackenzie Opritza of Lowellville, Charle Battaglia of Warren and Jessica Miller of Poland, attended to support the cause and demonstrate their commitment to strengthening the community through educational opportunities.

A group of longtime friends — Rose Petro of Canfield, Cindy Kurchnak of Boardman, Anita Ward of Boardman and Dorajean Havrilla of Canfield — attended together to support the fundraiser and contribute to the continued growth of Summer Discovery.

As guests shopped among local vendors, browsed raffle items and exchanged books with fellow attendees, the evening underscored the library’s mission to promote literacy, learning and opportunity throughout the Mahoning Valley.

With record participation in Summer Discovery and continued community support, library leaders say they are optimistic about expanding the program’s reach and helping even more residents discover the lifelong benefits of reading and learning.