By Brenda Erdahl
The annual Library Fundraiser, Saturday, Oct. 14 had mixed results.
On one hand, attendance was way down, organizer Vicki Decker said, and the overall fundraising goal of $30,000 was left wanting. On the other hand, those who did attend were generous. With 41 baskets on the silent auction, the library made as much money as last year with fewer items. “The people that were there spent money, they took the chances and supported us,” Decker said.
The Minnesota Vikings helmet was the biggest money producer on the live auction, going for $250. There were 15 items on the live auction this year, down slightly from last year’s 17. It was the same story at the wine pull. Fewer bottles were donated, but the bottles they did have sold out.
Decker said participation has been trending downward for the last couple of years. Offsetting the decline has been the generosity of the local businesses and private donors who continue to give consistently year after year.
Since this is the completely volunteer-run library’s main fundraiser, results set the budget for the next year. The library board will have to look at ways to reduce funding. Since costs like rent and electricity are nonnegotiable, less money will mean they will likely have to reduce purchases on new media, Decker said.
The silent auction tables had plenty to look at and smile over. The library fundraiser received 41 baskets for the auction, and all were well made and of high value, organizer Vicki Decker said.