The family of the late Margaret Burgwyn will join writer Shelia P. Moses and PETA representatives as they cut the ribbon on a new Little Free Library, dedicated to Burgwyn and donated by PETA for Moses’ Northampton County Little Free Library Project. Because this Little Free Library is outside a retirement community and near a Head Start office, it will offer books for both adults and children, provided by the Burgwyn family and PETA’s Barks & Books program, which gives away children’s books with messages of compassion for animals.

When:    Tuesday, June 14, 11 a.m.

Where:    Woodland Olney Apartments, 507 W. Main St., Woodland

“Margaret Burgwyn devoted her life to education and community service. The animal-friendly books in this Little Free Library will pass on her values by offering lessons in empathy for children and adults alike,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “It’s PETA’s honor to support the Northampton County Little Free Library Project and readers of all ages in the area.”

The Northampton County Little Free Library Project was designed to help put books into the hands of every family in the county, with the hope of benefiting generations to come. PETA previously donated the Doris Majette Little Free Library outside Cuz Mini-Mart in Garysburg and the Bishop Little Free Library in Rich Square. Its other work in Northampton County includes more than 20 years of helping families care for dogs by delivering sturdy wooden doghouses, insulating straw bedding, and nutritious food; providing preventive care, such as deworming, flea, and flystrike treatment; and transporting animals to and from spay/neuter surgeries—all free of charge.

The live ribbon-cutting ceremony, which will be broadcast on Moses’ Facebook Live page, will honor Burgwyn for her work in education, particularly her work at Paul D. Camp Community College, Roanoke-Chowan Community College, and Halifax Community College and as an elementary school counselor in Northampton County Schools. Later in life, Burgwyn—who held degrees from the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill and Appalachian State University—served the Woodland community as mayor and town commissioner.

For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.