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"I got my first library card when I was six years old, and I knew that I would never be bored for the rest of my life."
- Author Wiley Cash, at Verse & Vino 2017
All I can say is thank you. We are still beaming from an incredible Literary Weekend. Thanks to our generous sponsors, committed volunteers, and loyal Library supporters, Verse & Vino and EpicFest broke all previous records for both attendance and fundraising. The combined events reached over 7,000 readers of all ages and backgrounds, and Verse & Vino netted over $275,000 for the Library.
As much as these events have grown, I'm so proud that they still bring together our community in a way that is meaningful, celebratory and thought-provoking. One attendee summarized: "It's hard to make a crowd of 1200 people feel intimate, but Verse & Vino did it well. The time spent with authors is worth its weight in gold."
As we head into the holiday season, we are surrounded by themes of generosity and gratitude. You've likely already seen promotions for Giving Tuesday, November 28. This charitable companion to Black Friday and Cyber Monday encourages global support of non-profit organizations, and this year an anonymous donor has offered to match gifts to our Library Foundation on that day. We are planning to have some fun on Giving Tuesday, with the help of an exuberant new ambassador, and we hope you'll follow along on social media (#CMLBedford) and help us spread the word.
As always, thank you for all you do to support your Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation, and we wish you a warm start to the holidays,
Jenni Gaisbauer, CFRE
Executive Director
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