Fontana Library Foundation growing strong

Article Date: August, 2006

By City of Fontana, Community Connection 

The numbers are growing in the effort to raise $20 million in private funds for the new regional Fontana Library and Resource/Technology Center:

The number of individuals working to raise the money - hundreds;

The number of dedicated leaders on the Fontana Library Foundation - eleven;

The number of committees with specific responsibilities for the effort - two;

The number of dollars raised so far -- "We're at $ 1.35 million," said Kathleen Fariss, Fontana Director of Development for the new regional Library expected to open its doors in spring 2008.

"I think it's important to know that we have an outstanding group of volunteers that has offered their time to help accomplish our goals," Fariss said. "And we welcome more."

Fariss said volunteers are still needed for the agenda ahead and community groups, businesses and civic organizations are invited to lend a hand.

"Anybody interested in coming on board, we'd love to have them, individuals and organizations," Fariss said. "Some organizations, for example, might be able to do more than others but there are many ways to be involved. They may not be able to donate money, but donations of time or services like printing would also be invaluable to the campaign. Everybody can help in some way."

Fariss said there are now two important committees in place -the Executive Committee and the Steering Committee and both have started their work.

"Our Executive Committee has the charge of working with our larger donors, as well as setting milestones and objectives for the campaign," Fariss said. Some of the members on this Committee are: Chairperson Jasmin Hall, of Southern California Edison, Rod Guge, of Coldwell Banker Real Estate's Foothill office, Bill Meyer, chief executive officer of Kaiser Permanente, and Mark Bertone, president of Madole and Associates.

"We also have a Steering Committee that started in July. The chairperson of that Committee is K.C. Schumann, marketing director for the University of La Verne, Inland Empire campus," Fariss said.

Fontana Chief of Police Larry Clark, president of the Library Foundation that launched the capital campaign and is responsible for overseeing the $20 million drive, recruiting volunteers and will be involved in the sustaining campaign after the Library opens. The Foundation vice president is Helen Trevizo, educator for A. B. Miller High School.

The Foundation's newest board member is Cyndy Hernandez, a 2005 graduate of Fontana's Kaiser High School and currently a sophomore at the University of Southern California.

"I was in the Miss Fontana Pageant and I was talking to the Mayor about doing more for the community when he suggested that I contact Kathleen about the Library Foundation," Hernandez said. "I did and here I am.

"I hope that I can learn a lot about effective leadership that goes beyond what I did in school. We are talking about trying to encourage a youth leadership program in community affairs and getting other youth involved."

Hernandez, who is now on the Dean's List at USC following an illustrious student career at Kaiser High, said she is anxious to get started as well as help interest others.

Although the City of Fontana and San Bernardino County are providing funds for construction, private contributions will be needed to offset construction costs and provide service and program enhancements.

To learn about the various ways you can be involved, pick up a brochure available in many City of Fontana offices and community buildings, or contact Kathleen Fariss at (909) 350-6586 or kfariss@fontana.org. You can also view the new regional Library and Resource/Technology Center construction in progress at www.fontanalibrary.org.