By Meredith Stanton Vaselaar
I have received a lot of questions about how the donations to the Library Fund are handled. Many of the questions center around making a contribution in memory of a loved one, or as part of a tribute, or as an alumni, etc. All donations will go toward refurbishing the library once the repairs/renovation of the building is complete. This portion of the project has a fundraising goal of $80,000.
Memorials
Yes. Donations can be made in the name of a deceased love one. It can be anyone – a parent, grandparent, child, brother or sister, friend, and ancestors – if you have someone you would like to honor in such a way, we have made the process as simple as possible.
We have a form available at the library, which we can mail to you OR email to you. On the form a person can write down the name of their loved one. The donator him/herself can remain anonymous, if they choose. As of now, we have received memorials for spouses, parents, and grandparents. Of those memorials, some people have chosen to include their own name, too – others have said, “just the name of my loved one, please.”
Tributes
Yes. Donations can be made in the name of a living person or family, an organization, a business, a graduating class, etc. Thus far, the tributes we have received have recognized the Library Dragons, literary characters “Jo and Pip,” as well as some Reddit/NoSleep readers. Tributes are welcome and if you need help with doing this, please let us know.
Alumni
We urge each Graduating Class to consider challenging each other, and each other’s classes, to raise money. Thus far, alumni have donated the majority of the funds, and we are hoping to acknowledge each Class for their contribution. (Look for the “Library Update” column to read about one alumnae’s unexpected donation.)
For Alumni contributions, please indicate the school name and year of graduation. For example, Adrian High School Class of 1974, or St. Adrian High Class of 1960, or St. Anthony Class of 1956, etc.
Legacy
How, you might ask, will we post these donations, memorials, tributes, class challenges, etc.? We will be putting together a book that will include all non-anonymous donations, and who, if anyone, that donations honor. This book will be placed in the newly renovated library, as a lasting remembrance of those who donated, and those who have been honored. If a person has made a memorial to a loved one, we ask that you stop by the library with a photo of that person or email it to us.
We are also looking into a permanent legacy wall – at the moment, we are considering engraving the names of non-anonymous donators, memorials, tributes, organizations, businesses, Classes, etc., on the façade of the front desk. We are not sure at the moment exactly how we will put the names on display, but that is part of this fundraising effort.
How To Donate
A person can contact the library to learn more about the fundraiser. You can call the library at: 507 483-2541; email at: mvaselaar@plumcreeklibrary.net; or stop by the Adrian Branch Library, located at 214 Maine Avenue, Adrian, MN.
Donations can be:
1) Dropped off at the Adrian Library
2) Mailed to the Library at: 214 Maine Ave., PO Box 39214 Adrian, MN 56110
3) Dropped off at the Adrian State Bank
4) Dropped off at the State Bank of Lismore
5) Online donations can be made by visiting our website and following the link www.plumcreeklibrary.org/adrian
Checks must be made out to:
LACF (LACF = Lismore Area Community Foundation, which is the sponsor/fiscal agent.
This sponsorship makes it possible for every donation to be used exclusively for the
Adrian the Adrian Branch Library Renovation Project. Thank you, LACF)
