Library Foundation celebrates successful fundraiser
In mid-November the Library Foundation for Sarasota County was short $140,000 of raising $450,000 by Dec. 31, but its patrons came through in just a nick of time.
By
Anna Brugmann
| 7:50 p.m. March 8, 2017
Sarasota
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Celebration was in the air on March 8 at Isabel Norton's home.
The secretary of the Library Foundation Board of Directors welcomed her fellow Library Foundation for Sarasota County members and patrons to her home to celebrate the success of the Children's Literacy Endowment fundraiser in December.
The Library Foundation was tasked with raising $500,000 to fund their children's literacy program, which gives books to 700 children of various reading levels throughout Sarasota County. In mid-October, the organization received a capping grant of $50,000 from the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, but to receive the grant the foundation had to raise $450,000 by Dec. 31
By mid-November, the Library Foundation still had to raise $140,000.
"But this board stepped up," Library Foundation Executive Director Suzanne Seiter said as she thanked her fellow Library Foundation members.
In the end, the foundation did meet its goal with an 90 minutes to spare.
"We were down to the wire," Seiter said. "The last gift was committed at 10:30 p.m. New Years Eve."
Seiter said the Library Foundation's success was a product of the tireless efforts of its board and patrons.
"It takes a village," Seiter said. "And here we are."
Members of the Library Foundation for Sarasota County gathered at the home of Isabel Norton celebrate reaching their $500,000 fundraising goal for the Children' s Literacy Endowment.
The Library Foundation of Sarasota County board member Connie Davis and Laura Spencer
Abigail Gaunt is welcomed to the party.
Library Foundation of Sarasota County board member Patricia Gussin and Barbara Siemer
The Library Foundation of Sarasota County board member Lydia McIntire, Mike Hurney and the Library Foundation of Sarasota County board member Claudia Cardillo
Library Foundation of Sarasota County board member Bob Gussin and Al Siemer
Alice Rau and Library Foundation of Sarasota County board member Bob Vedder
Library Foundation for Sarasota County Executive Director Suzanne Seiter, Secretary of the Library Foundation Board of Directors Isabel Norton
Alexandra Jupin, Nancy Colburn and Library Foundation of Sarasota County board member Lydia McIntire
Ezra Wieland
Loretta Martin
Rosie Gaunt
Aida Matic and Library Foundation of Sarasota County board member Patricia Gussin
Kelly and Burt Romanoff
Carole Crosby and Larry Wickless
Emily Walsh and Kelly Romanoff
Library Foundation for Sarasota County Executive Director Suzanne Seiter sits with Abigail Gaunt and Ezra Wieland. The pair participated in the young readers advertising campaign during the fundraiser.
Abigail Gaunt reads while members of the Library Foundation thank their fellow members for their efforts in raising $500,000 for the Children' s Literacy Endowment.
Library Foundation for Sarasota County Executive Director Suzanne Seiter smiles while thanking members of the Library Foundation for their for their efforts in raising $500,000 for the Children' s Literacy Endowment.
Secretary of the Library Foundation Board of Directors Isabel Norton
President of the Library Foundation Linda Getzen and Executive Director Suzanne Seiter present board members Pat and Bob Gussin with a plaque to commemorate their generosity in the Children' s Literacy Endowment fundraiser.
President of the Library Foundation Linda Getzen and Executive Director Suzanne Seiter present Sarasota and Longboat Observer Publisher Emily Walsh with a plague to commemorate the Observer' s advertising efforts.
Abigail Gaunt poses with Kelly Romanoff
Library Foundation of Sarasota County board member Bob Vedder and Secretary of the Library Foundation Board of Directors Isabel Norton
