 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
AFA JournalCHRISTIAN ACTIVIST PROFILEBooked for LifeWoman’s love of books and God leads her to share both with the disadvantagedby Pat CentnerNews Editor AFA Journal, August, 2002 edition The Southern Christian Writers’ Conference in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was winding down, and the participants’ thoughts were turning homeward. During the final session, an attractive woman with aristocratic bearing stepped into the aisle. Gesturing gracefully with her hands and speaking with a melodic Southern accent, she announced that she needed donations of Sunday School books and other religious materials, as well as books of all kinds, for placement in “reading outreaches” being established in poor, rural areas of Alabama. Of all the people in the room that day, Margaret Zehmer Searcy was surely the one most likely to be heading a project that would bring the written word and opportunities for enhanced learning into the lives of needy people whose opportunities, and options, are few. This Tuscaloosa resident has devoted the better part of her 75 years to serving the Lord by serving others. And because of her firm belief that everyone in America should have access to the Word of God and to good books, untold numbers of people from all walks of life have benefited from the thousands of books she’s collected and distributed at no charge. Margaret’s deep commitment to serve stems from her obedience to a favorite scripture, Luke 12:48: For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required. She readily admits that she has been given much. The “much” of which she speaks, however, is not that which the world holds dear — an over-abundance of money and material “things.” Margaret refers, instead, to matters on a much higher plane. Passion came early “My earliest memories are intertwined with my love of God, family and books,” she says. “These loves have lasted for a lifetime and have guided me in many ways.” Margaret was blessed with parents who brought her up to love the Lord, and who introduced her to the alluring world of books at a young age. “Daddy read the ‘funnies’ to me when he came home from work,” Margaret reminisces, “and Mother read a Bible story and heard my prayers each evening.” Growing up was an adventure. Margaret fondly remembers the Saturday trips in Birmingham with her mother, where they frequented the Avondale Public Library, and also visited the zoo where “Miss Fancy,” the elephant, gratefully accepted their peanuts. Twice a year, the Zehmer family visited their Virginia relatives, and Margaret’s very first job was as a librarian for her Aunt Deenie and Grandmother Zehmer who had set up a free lending library in their home. In 1946, Margaret graduated from Duke University and, two years later, married former Navy man, Joseph Alexander Searcy. The couple has three children. “Through the years, I was always involved in service projects: the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Junior League, the Scouts, the Presbyterian Church, and various Juvenile Court organizations,” she says. The reading outreaches are Margaret’s latest endeavor. With the help of her husband, four new centers have been established in the past four months. A center evolves by the Searcys first verifying that there is interest in setting up a reading oureach in a particular area. They then determine whether certain criteria can be met: 1) no public library or bookmobile stop in the community; 2) no money exchanged for the books or materials; 3) responsible individuals or groups in the area take charge of the books and materials at a place open to the public on a regular basis; and 4) books are for everyone’s use. Once the requirements are satisfied, Margaret and Joseph put out the word, and books and other items come pouring in. “These [outreaches] are in some of Alabama’s poorest rural counties: those having some of the lowest academic achievement scores and highest illiteracy rates,” explains Margaret. She and Joseph hope the readily available books will result in |
|
 |
copyright
©2006 American Family Association | privacy
policy
Contact webmaster with questions/comments |
