Budget amendments during government meetings are typically approve-and-move-on matters.

A $700 donation for the children’s program at Chichester Memorial Library, however, had a story to tell.

The money raised for the library’s Halloween celebration next week was due to the efforts of a group of women Head Librarian Leigh Ann Brodsky described to the city council Tuesday as community advocates, supporters of youth sports and education, and, “most importantly, friends.”

“At a time when negativity was being shared on social media, these women didn’t wait for someone to call them to action. Instead, they came together and found a way to turn that negativity into something positive,” she said of Marcella McCrachen, Heather Merritt, Alyssa Murphy, and Erin Taylor. “It was a kindness fundraiser to support the library’s annual Halloween Carnival.”

(The Great Pumpkin Halloween Carnival will be Wednesday, October 28, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the library, which is located at 319 Roanoke Avenue. See the flier below for more details.)

Their goal was simple: to raise as much money as possible to “fill our library with pumpkins of all shapes and sizes.”

What the women didn’t expect was just how quickly their efforts would take off. “In less than a week, they raised more than $1,000. Tonight, you all will vote on a budget amendment to allocate a portion of those funds to our children’s programming budget.”

Because of that effort and those who contributed, the library could spend $320 on pumpkins, $262 on candy, and save the remaining funds for future programming, Brodsky said.

Thanking the team that led the effort, she said, “They took a difficult moment and turned it into an opportunity to spread kindness, bring our community together, and make a special event for our children even better. Thank you for reminding us that even when negativity gets the attention, kindness can make a real difference, and we are incredibly grateful for their support.”

Trunks still sought

In a matter related to city Halloween festivities, Parks and Recreation Director Kelly Daughtry said more trunks are needed for the annual Trunk or Treat event set for Saturday, October 31, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Carolina Street between Fifth and Sixth streets.

See the flier below for more details.