I Love My Library Fundraiser

On February 13, 2005 supporters of the Appleton Public Library celebrated Library Lovers Month by attending the first annual I Love My Library fundraising dinner at Riverview Country Club. They ate a gourmet dinner and purchased items in a silent auction. Over $9,400 was raised for the Appleton Library Foundation.

Table sponsors for the dinner included Will and Ruth Bloedow, Ralph O. Kennedy II, J. P. Morgan Chase, We Energies, Associated Bank, and Time Warner.

Silent auction items were donated by Conkey’s Book Store, Barnes and Noble, Shopko, Red Robin Restaurants, Culver’s of Darboy, Mercury Marine, Starbucks, Bela Bakery and Café, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Culver’s of Appleton, Breadsmith, Fox River Brewing, Peter and Connie Roop, Nancy Johnshoy, Appleton Bicycle and Fitness, Phil Sealy, Tri County Distributors, Henry Oeser, Van Vreede’s, Waldenbooks, Jansport, Green Bay Packers, Laurie Shinkan, Michele Missner, Bookworm of Wisconsin, Amy Tan, Memorial Florists, We Energies, Kabloom, and Barbara Kingsolver. Elly Loebach, FOAL President, led a team of Ralph Dorn, Tommie Scherzinger, and Char Sigman in soliciting the silent auction items. Steve Johnshoy assisted the group.

A heart-shaped diamond necklace from Avenue Jewelers was raffled off and won by Mayor Tim Hanna. Nancy Johnshoy, Foundation Vice-President, sold $630 worth of raffle tickets at the dinner.

Terry Bergman, Foundation Development Committee Chair, served as Chair of the fundraiser committee. He was assisted by Rue Johnson, Nancy Johnshoy, Ralph O. Kennedy II and Elly Loebach. Library staff that assisted the committee included Terry Dawson, Cecilia Wiltzius, Elizabeth Eisen, Maureen Ward, and Renee Mortier. Karen Probst, Reference and Information Services librarian, played the piano during the cocktail hour.

The next I Love My Library fundraising dinner will be held on February 12, 2006 at Riverview Country Club.