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Friends of the Library donate $165,000; city highlights volunteer impact
Summary
At the Oct. 14 council meeting, Friends of the Library president Pam Smith presented a $165,000 check to the Mission Viejo library; the group reported $3.5 million raised since 1997 and about 77 volunteers contributing roughly 10,000 hours per month in donated items processing.
Mayor Reich read a proclamation naming Oct. 19–25 National Friends of the Library Week and invited Pam Smith, president of the Friends group, to accept a large donation. Pam Smith presented a $165,000 check to library representative Genesis Hansen and described the group's volunteer program and fundraisers.
"I'm Pam Smith, as you know, and I'm the current president of Friends of the Library," Smith said, describing three annual major fundraisers and a volunteer corps that processes roughly 10,000 donated items a month and contributes an estimated equivalent of about $400,000 in labor value. Genesis Hansen thanked the Friends and said the donations support collections and public programs: "They don't just raise funds. They also help out at a lot of our events and programs."
Council members and staff noted the Friends' long-term support; the library director said Friends have raised "over $3,500,000 since the library was opened." The council accepted the presentation and invited volunteers and board members to the stage for a photo.
