A Very Full Two Weeks

Pam Sheppard's Tiny Art Auction came, was much enjoyed, went, and netted many happy bidders some tiny art and the New Library Building Fund over $700.  This whole event was Pam's idea and she and John put in a lot of work to make it happen.  It is surely occasions like this that most strike me in this fundraising activity.  The word of wisdom in all the books I've read about fundraising say that "To raise money, you have to ask people for it."  And that is generally true, but there are yet others who just hear that there is an important need and and they then just act.   They are a minority, but we are especially grateful to each of them and to Pam and John who are definitely among them.

It seemed as if no time had passed after that event until the Christmas Craft Fair.  It was a beautiful two days and we had a table laden with pieces that were donated by various artists and craftsperson here on the Point and even from a bit away.  My neighbor's mother, who is a leatherworker and who lives in Saskatchewan sent us a leather bag and a tiny pair of deer skin shoes, both of which went out into the world that weekend.  A silk scarf woven in Nepal, beautiful photo prints and jewelry, fabric goods, fiber art and knitted accessories of all kinds joined them.  The entire two days brought over $2,200 to the Library Fund. And we thank the donors, the sellers, and the buyers!

And then, another two days passed and Phyllis Van Sant (who was in charge of the counting) told us that the grocery receipt totals from the International Marketplace would bring us yet another $2,200.  To all of you who saved and dropped your receipts into the boxes, Canadian and U.S. residents alike, whoopee!  Perhaps the International Marketplace will be willing to do it again next year.

We also sold Christmas/Holiday Gift Cards at the Craft Fair so that those who want to make a "Gift of a Library" to a friend, a family member or even to themselves may do so.  The minimum gift is $25.  Each gift will be recorded in the Gift Donation Book and will name both the giver and the recipient for our permanent/historical record of how this community built a new library.  The cards will continue be on sale at the library from 2pm to 3 pm every day that the library is open until Christmas.  Or if you need to make other arrangements, write us at foprl1@gmail.com.

May the remainder of the month be filled with good times and loving experiences and not too much rich food!  It is cold and grey and windy often, but it is also the great holiday season of our year.  We should enjoy!

And thanks for all your help and support, this month and all the previous months of the year that is about to pass away from us.

--Judy Ross, for The Friends of the Point Roberts Library