You can ’ t do much more to celebrate the holidays than put on a Christmas tree festival , and for the past 13 years that ’ s what Friends of the Bridgeville Public Library has done as a major annual fundraiser .
It ’ s the one constant of an organization with a 30-year history that has had to change with the times to stay vibrant and grow to ensure its future .
Current Friends President Janet Nock , who ’ s been involved with the organization since 2004 , said she only agreed to lead the group if members were willing to make the hard changes necessary to ensure its survival . Part of those changes included shuttering a used bookstore , which had been a staple of the Friends ’ fundraising efforts but was no longer keeping pace with the used book market to be profitable .
“ The bookstore did well for many years . They had a lot of volunteers , lots of sales , but times have changed . They lost their lease and you could not find a place in the area to move the bookstore to for what we were paying ,” Nock said . “ Right now , I see our biggest asset in our new website , which is on pace with the current technology and something that younger generations relate to . With that in place , I see more members joining and the Friends staying strong , if not getting stronger .”
That website , friendsofbpl . org , was designed and is maintained by a volunteer at no cost to the organization and serves as a portal where people can join the Friends , register for events , make donations and join the newsletter email list . The group also has a Facebook page — facebook . com / FOTBPL , and Twitter feed @ FOBPL .
While Nock has been at the helm of all of these changes , she ’ s certainly not the driving force of the Friends , crediting the rest of the board and the cooperation of the Bridgeville Public Library ’ s staff and board of trustees .
“ It ’ s been a group effort on the board , and I would say our biggest accomplishment is the relationship that we have grown with the board of trustees and the staff ,” she said . “ Together we ’ ve been successful and it shows . With the money that the Friends have given — more than $ 7,500 over the past two years — the public can see what it has gone toward . We ’ ve purchased energy-efficient window film for the library , a kitchen play set for the children ’ s area , and we paid for the Silly Science summer program for the past two years — making it free for kids , as well as two sewing machines for a summer sewing camp . People can actually see results of our fundraising . Because of that , the Friends are noticed more , and that in itself attracts new members who want to be a part of this .”
And , if you ’ re a fan of the Christmas Tree Festival , there have been changes to that as well , but only as far as the venue goes . This year ’ s festival will be held at the South Fayette Senior Center at 515 Millers Run Road , on Dec . 3 and 4 , from 11 a . m . until 4 p . m .
The event will include Santa Claus performing a magic show on Saturday at noon and visiting the kids afterward . The Bridgeville Brass will perform Sunday at 2:30 p . m . Trees will be decorated by local businesses , organizations and individuals , including a Lego Tree assembled by the Steel City Lego Users Group . And , of course , there will be a smorgasbord of baked goods , pizza by the slice , an old-time popcorn machine , Chinese auction , daily 50 / 50 , and used books to be had for a donation . Admission to the
festival is $ 2 per person . Children under the age of 6 are free .
Nock believes the new venue will only benefit the fundraiser by being in a more visible , more easily accessible location .
“ I believe attendance will be better . Change is good ; it ’ s not always easy , but it ’ s good ,” she said . “ We may acquire some new people who never came before , and we still have a following of people who come year after year as a tradition .” n
“ With the money that the Friends have given , the public can actually see what it has gone toward .”
2017 Membership Information for the Friends of the Bridgeville Public Library
Junior Membership : 0-13 years of age : Free Student : 14-22 years of age : $ 5 Individual : $ 20 Senior / Military : $ 10 Family : $ 30 Business / Commercial : $ 100
To join , go to friendsofbpl . org / join-the-friends to pay by PayPal , or fill out the online application and drop it off at the Bridgeville Public Library with your check .
Chartiers Valley | Winter 2016 | icmags . com 19