Applause and cheers greeted Lebanon Levi as he stepped out of his black Cadillac at the Eastern Lancaster County Library in New Holland on Saturday.
Wearing a big smile - and trademark black suit and hat - the "Amish Mafia" reality TV star graciously greeted some 60 fans awaiting his arrival.
Levi donated his time and national celebrity status to support the library's "I Geek the Library" fundraising campaign.
"Libraries are important and provide a place for people to read, study and learn. And they really need financial support," Levi told the crowd to yet another rousing round of applause.
In his younger days, Levi said he frequented the local library. His favorite books were the Hardy Boys adventures. But he admitted that growing up on a farm didn't leave a lot of time to read, and Sundays were spent reading the Bible.
Donna Brice, library director, presented Levi with an "I GEEK the Library" T-shirt and asked, "What do you geek, Levi?"
His answer drew laughter from the crowd: "I geek my Cadillac."
But the Lebanon County resident is also passionate about giving support to libraries. He participated in a fundraiser at the Matthews Public Library in Fredericksburg last March.
"When we met with Levi about doing the event, it was apparent he was interested in supporting the public library. He seems to want to use his 'notoriety' to give back to his community," said Jim Cox, Elanco Library Board of Trustees vice president.
The Geek the Library campaign, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, raises awareness about libraries and their funding needs.
Unlike his TV don-like character dictating controversial punishment to protect and keep the peace in the Lancaster County Amish community, the 34-year-old Levi was personable and humorous.
He enthusiastically signed photos, had his photo taken with fans and answered questions. People didn't seem to mind waiting patiently for their turn with the Lebanon County star.
Bumper stickers stating "Protected by Lebanon Levi" were big sellers.
Many people expressed how much they loved the show and were anxious for the new season that starts Aug. 13 on the Discovery Channel.
Marissa Anderson from Salt Lake City, Utah, was thrilled to get a hug from Levi. She had traveled with family from Baltimore to see him.
"We wanted to show Marissa the Amish country and when we heard Lebanon Levi was coming to the New Holland library, we made a detour," her aunt and hard-core fan, Julie Becerril, explained.
Friends Debbie Gornee, who lives in Lancaster, and Andrea Sauder, of Mountville, are also Levi admirers. They were getting a signed photo for Margie Bangs, Sauder's mother-in-law, who is another ardent fan.
Leola resident Kyaira McFadden, 7, said she likes Levi, but isn't allowed to watch "Amish Mafia."
"I love the show which I call faction - fiction and fact - and my students love the Amish culture," said professor Timothy Hornberger from The College of New Jersey. He teaches a course on "Exploring Amish Culture" to students attending the school in Lawrence.
Meanwhile, Eric Bannon, of New Holland, said he was there "to see Lebanon Levi and support the library."
Brice said the Saturday event raised more than $1,000. Proceeds came from patrons paying $10 plus $5 for a photograph of Levi and $2.50 for a bumper sticker: Protected by Lebanon Levi.
"We appreciate Levi's support for the library. The smaller crowd gave people more time to interact with him. It was a fun, positive event for those who came and for the library," said Cox.
For more information about the "Geek" campaign, visit geekthelibrary.org,
elancolibrary.org or call 354-0525.
