When Aubrey Sanders, a junior at East Burke High School, saw an opportunity to work with Beth Heile and the Burke River Trail to bring a Storybook Trail to the new park located in the Town of Hildebran, she was excited to support the project. Reading is something that she has always loved to do, stemming from her grandmother taking her to the library when she was young. Being a part of helping someone else enjoy reading was important to her and she began working on the project immediately.
The Storybook Trail consists of 16 pedestals placed around Royal Park’s ¼ mile trail located at
202 S. Center St., Hildebran. Each pedestal holds 2 pages of a children’s book. Families can walk
the trail while reading the book to help connect families, promote literacy, and provide light
exercise opportunities. The trail is placed on the sidewalk and is ADA accessible.
Aubrey first approached the Town of Hildebran Council explaining the project and asked for
Council’s approval. The total anticipated cost was $5,000, with Burke River Trail donating
$2,000. Aubrey stated that she would fundraise so there would be no initial cost to the Town.
The Town Council approved the project and fundraising began. She sent emails to businesses in
Town and visited places to ask for donations. She was able to raise $5,600 in just 10 days. The
East Burke Kiwanis greatly helped by donating $1,250. Other donations ranged from $10 to
$500. The extra funds are going to pay for books.
She worked with Beth Heile who created and shared social media posts within her network and
the Burke River Trail’s network as this project, and the Town of Hildebran, are a part of the
Trial’s course throughout the County. Once the funds were obtained, Beth placed the order for
the pedestals and both she and Aubrey began asking for volunteers to help install them. Five
members from the Town of Hildebran, three from Burke River Trail, and two members of the
East Burke Kiwanis came out on in the heat and got all 16 pedestals installed.
“One of the most rewarding parts of this project has been watching Aubrey step up and lead.
She worked hard, brought people together, and helped turn an idea into something that
families in Hildebran will enjoy for years to come. I’m proud of what she accomplished and
excited to see what she does in the future,” noted Beth Heile, Executive Director, Burke River
Trail Association
The project was awarded the Visionary Award through the Burke County Chamber of
Commerce B.I.G. Ceremony.
Donors: East Burke Kiwanis – $1,250, Republic Services – $500, DDI of Hickory – $290, Dana Burns – $250, Jennie Cook – $250, HHDA – $200, Debra Young – $200, Tex’s Fish Camp – $100, Curley’s Fish Camp (Foster Family) – $100, Albert L Parkhurst Family – $100, Larry & Louise Huffman Family – $100, SynergyLabs – $100, Walkin’ Roll Activities League – $50, Nancy Wood – $50, Connie Sain – $50, Michael and Lisa Stroupe – $10
If you would like to donate to the project to purchase future books, go to the donate page
