All things local

Ambridge Library Hosts Annual Fundraiser

11/3/2014

Photo Credit : Alan Freed Photography

By Larissa Dudkiewicz

Dolores Harrison said she always attends the annual Taste of Autumn fundraiser at Laughlin Memorial Library and feels her donation is money well spent.

“It’s a good fundraiser. I love coming here,” she said.

Harrison was among the many people who filled the library’s upstairs level on Saturday night, mingling over music, wine and hors d’oeuvres.

In fact, Julie Mulcahy, library director, said the Taste of Autumn fundraiser sold a record-setting 182 tickets prior to the event. Before the first hour ended, nearly a dozen more were sold, drawing at least 200 in attendance.

It was a fitting night for the 10th annual fundraiser and 85th anniversary year for the library, according to Charlene Geffel, president of the library board of directors.

“It varies,” said Geffel, who recounted 147 guests in attendance last year.

“The main thing is the people in the library,” Geffel said. “We can show them that the library is still here, and they can come in and they can have fun. So it’s a two-fold purpose and we have great, great support.”

Geffel said funding for the library has dwindled over the years, with cuts from the school district to the state. The annual fundraiser helps the library with expenses, she said.

Attendees like Harrison said she was also there to mingle with friends.

“A lot of it is just fellowship too,” Geffel said. “I mean it’s a fundraiser, but wewant people in here to see the library.”

In addition to library staff, volunteers and board members, a couple of the trustees from the Laughlin Corporate Trust were in attendance. The event also included patrons, political leaders and more.

Glatz Winery provided the wine and Nichi catered the food. Live music was provided by Mario Cafarelli.

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Photo Credit : Alan Freed Photography