Submitted by Cathy Howard

Friends of the Library

Golf rounds, pottery by local artists, books, dog grooming, home baking, gardening tools, bicycle gear, spa products, art supplies, coffee, chocolate, knitting, quilting, home décor, and gift certificates for many businesses in the valley are just some of the dozens of items generously donated by businesses and individuals to the Friends of the Library (FOL) Christmas Silent Auction.  

The online auction site is https://fundables.app/auction/id/libraryfriends. The site will go live at 8 a.m. on Nov. 20 and close at 5 p.m. on Nov. 30. 

FOL volunteers have worked tirelessly assembling over 100 lots for the auction. “Fundables, an online fundraising platform from Fairmont, is hosting the auction site and has been tremendously helpful working with the volunteers getting the auction up and running,” said Cathy Howard of FOL. Photographs and descriptions of each item will be on the site for the ten days of the auction. Bidders will need to check back to bid again to win that item, whether for themselves or as a Christmas gift for someone else.

This year, the FOL received a $750 grant from the Columbia Basin Trust. The condition of the grant was that it be used to support our business community by buying locally. “Not surprisingly, we had no trouble getting volunteers to go shopping,” joked Howard. The lots created with the grant money are substantial, varied, and will appeal to a diverse group of people. 

This auction, and the Big Book Sale in the summer, are the major fundraising events for the library. The silent auction would not be possible without the generosity of the donors, spirited bidding from the community, and the dedication of volunteers. The FOL are looking forward to again making a generous donation to the library to provide support for the expansion of the collection and the many community outreach programs run by the library. 

Ready! Set! Go to the Library Silent Auction site!