I Love Fundraising

The library

I happen to love asking people for money. If it’s for a good cause. We are building a new addition to our library in the city my husband and I live in. Along with refurbishing the existing building. It is a project that is near and dear to my heart. I love, love, love, the library. So, it is an adventure for me. 

I’ve never fundraised before so my loving it comes as a surprise to me. I have no trouble asking people for their money. We will use it wisely. Libraries are an important part of a community. 

Small Town Feel

The city we live in is your typical small-town place. Restaurants, gas stations, factories, and taverns. Plus, our library. It’s a great place for kids to hang out. Really there is nowhere else for kids to go. If they are at the library, you know they are safe and having a good time. There a children’s programs, copies being made. Internet usage, faces being sent. At times it can be a beehive of activity. Other times, it’s silent and calm. There is an atmosphere at the library that’s hard for me to describe. It soothes me and bring a peace to my soul. Going around dusting if all other tasks are done with a bottle of pledge, brings a smile to my face. People coming in who have the same level of love for books as I do are cool and inspiring. After all, who can live without books? Books have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Not as a child because I wasn’t read to. Once I got into school I discovered my love for books. It has remained with me forever as now I am 64 years old. 

It Inspires Me

The fundraising we are doing is so inspiring. We gather as a group and discuss how we can raise money. These meetings I mostly miss because of work. Normally my job is to go out and talk to people about the library and how important I think it is to our community. That’s an easy chore. Since the library is my most favorite place to be if I’m not at home. 

Go Away

I can tell when I’m speaking with people if they are interested and invested in helping the library. I’ve seen people's eyes glaze over when I’m talking. Nothing I can do about it except tell them how important the library is and move on. There are people, believe it or not who do not support the library. The notion is so foreign to me. It’s hard to wrap my head around it. Everyone dances to their own beat, so I don’t judge. If that’s the way they feel, then they have every right to feel that way. To each his own. 

We Meet

I’m looking forward to our next meeting, seeing where we are at money wise. It isn’t cheap to build a new addition. So fundraising is necessary. Asking people what they think of our library is something I love to do. I’ve gotten many positive responses along with negative. Hearing both sides gives me perspective. What can I do to change this person's mind about the library? The back and forth I get from people keeps me pushing ahead. 

Facebook is a great tool I’ll be utilizing when we get to the public phase of our fundraising. Challenging people to donate. I can do this because my husband and my donation has already been handed in. So, asking people to meet or exceed our donation is what I will do. It’s a great way to connect with others and also help the library.

In Conclusion

So, if you hear someone knocking on your door. It may be me with a fundraising packet for our library. Give me a chance to sell you on the idea of donating. You might find yourself very involved in our conversation. 

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We take a check or cash. Stay safe and read.

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