Supporters gather for library fundraiser 

Article Date: November 5, 2006

By Suzanne Sproul, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

Supporters of the proposed Fontana Library and Resource/Technology Center recently conducted a fundraising event and everyone stayed home. That was exactly the plan.

With so many good causes needing help, sometimes it takes a good natured twist of events to capture people’s attention. This one did.

The Fontana Library Foundation sponsored a “Read a Book at Home Ball” asking residents to stay home, curl up with family members and read together. It simply asked individuals and families to donate what they might have spent on a festive night out to the new library instead.’

“What we really wanted to do was to allow people an opportunity to participate without having to spend a lot of money,” said Kathleen Fairss, director of development for the foundation. “We wanted to create an awareness in the community of what we need and want to do. And, yes, we want to build a new library, but our campaign really is centered around literacy.”

Many people have responded. One woman sent a prayer for success. Others questioned why the foundation had a nonevent.

“We wanted people to know about the campaign and the plans for the future. The Mayor’s Gala on March 31 will help raise money for the library and there are a copule of other things planned, Fariss said.

“And we’ll have ‘Read a Book’ again next year, but we accomplished what we wanted,” she added. “We’re establishing a presence. We want people to read because literacy is so important. This program is a great chance for people to help support a cause that I truly believe can change the Inland Empire. A literate, well-informed community is a healthy one.”

The home ball concept is part of the “Give Today to Enrich Tomorrow” capital campaign by Mayor Mark Nuaimi and the Fontana City Council, in partnership with the foundation and San Bernardino County.

Fontana just keeps growing. Nowhere is that so apparent than at the San Bernardino County Branch Library on Emerald Avenue. For years, the facility was more than capable of meeting the needs of its residents. That’s not the case anymore.

The city and supporters are in the middle of a campaign to raise $20 million to build a new Fontana Library and Resource/Technology Center. It’s $6.35 million closer to becoming a reality.

The new library will be at the Fontana Civic Center, 8473 Sierra Ave. It is set to open in the spring of 2008. The 93,000-square-foot facility will be a place where people can meet, study, read and attend programs.

Donations will help support areas such as the Family Training and Learning Center, Career Center, Literacy Center, Children’s Story and Activity Room, and a Local History and Genealogy Room.

Donations of $5,000 or more will be recognized and displayed on the Donor Wall of Gratitude at the library. Mayor donors to date include San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane, $1 million; Best, Best & Krieger, Children’s Homework Club, $20,000; Cucamonga Valley Water District, Computer Lab on the second floor, $15,000; Shea Homes, Children’s Reading Alcove Area, $15,000; Janice Rutherford, Meeting Room, $10,000; Ray and Karolyn Bragg, Main Entry Fountain, $10,000; Rod Guge, Sierra Avenue Fountain, $10,000; and Superior Super Warehouse, Community Re-engineering Inc., Conference Room on the second floor, $10,000.

The foundation has also gratefully accepted smaller gifts, such as a $25 adopt-a-book donation from the second grade class of George Ventura from West Randall School in Fontana.

Together, all the donations will help make the library a reality. The foundation board of directors are Larry Clark, president; Helen Trevizo, vice president; Joy Chadwick, secretary; Dennis Anderson, treasurer; and members Robert DeLoach, Cyndy Hernandez, Patricia Laudisio, Bill Baringer, Butch Stone, Linda Young and Larry Meyer.

For more information, call Kathleen at (909) 350-6586.