Annual Appeal Friends of BPL
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THANK YOU to all the wonderful supporters who
donate time, talent, and funds to help the Friends of BPL make a difference at the Benzonia Public Library. We have been delighted with the positive response to our Annual Appeal letters. This year the letter will only be posted online, please take a moment to read the letter shown below. A huge THANK YOU to all donors for your generosity and support. WAYS TO DONATE:
Click on the Donate button shown below OR write a check payable to Friends of BPL. Mail checks to: Friends of BPL PO Box 445 Benzonia, MI 49616 Vertical Divider
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Special $300 tax deduction helps most people give to charity this year – even if they don’t itemize
This $300 deduction is designed for taxpayers who take the standard deduction and aren’t normally able to deduct their donations. The tax break, part of the CARES Act, applies to cash given to charities by Dec. 31. The $300 deduction is for donations made in cash, which includes currency, checks, credit or debit cards, and electronic funds transfers. Donations must be to a qualifying organization. Yes, the Friends of Benzonia Public Library qualifies. IRS News Release> |
To the supporters of Benzonia Public Library,
That 2020 has been a trying year is an understatement. Yet Benzonia Public Library continues to serve the people of our region who depend on it so much. The Library’s staff have risen to the challenge of providing crucial service to the public while still keeping everyone as safe as possible during this health crisis. Although the Friends of Benzonia Public Library were unable to hold our usual fundraising events this past summer, we continue to support the Library financially and with volunteer efforts.
Volunteers have continued to replace failing fluorescent lights with LED bulbs in the Library; have cleaned and sorted donated books and puzzles for the ongoing sale inside the Library; and have performed many other chores to reduce the burden on the Library staff.
During the Library’s fiscal year that ended on June 30, the Friends provided over $18,000 in direct financial contributions to the Library, including:
All of these contributions are above and beyond what the Library is able to budget on its own. The Friends are committed to continuing our essential financial support to the Library, but our resources are not limitless. We had the foresight to create what might be considered a “rainy day” fund balance; now the “rain” is pouring down and draining our resources with it.
We know that this year has been a significant struggle for many. So the Friends are not mailing out our annual appeal letter this fall. However, if you are fortunate enough to be in a position to contribute to the Friends, we hope you will consider doing so, in whatever amount you feel comfortable giving. Donations may be made via PayPal or with a credit or debit card by using the DONATE button at www.benzonialibrary.org, or checks payable to “Friends of BPL” may be mailed to Friends of Benzonia Public Library, P.O. Box 445, Benzonia, MI 49616. Your support is essential to our mission of serving the Library, thereby allowing the Library to serve the people of our region in the best possible way. We thank you in advance for your generosity.
Roger Dewey
President, Friends of Benzonia Public Library
That 2020 has been a trying year is an understatement. Yet Benzonia Public Library continues to serve the people of our region who depend on it so much. The Library’s staff have risen to the challenge of providing crucial service to the public while still keeping everyone as safe as possible during this health crisis. Although the Friends of Benzonia Public Library were unable to hold our usual fundraising events this past summer, we continue to support the Library financially and with volunteer efforts.
Volunteers have continued to replace failing fluorescent lights with LED bulbs in the Library; have cleaned and sorted donated books and puzzles for the ongoing sale inside the Library; and have performed many other chores to reduce the burden on the Library staff.
During the Library’s fiscal year that ended on June 30, the Friends provided over $18,000 in direct financial contributions to the Library, including:
- Over $1000 for youth services;
- Over $500 for the summer reading program (conducted remotely this year);
- Over $1000 for library programs;
- Over $200 support for the Library’s newsletter;
- Over $6400 for technology support, including replacements for outdated or failing computers, software, and printers, and entirely funding OverDrive (downloadable eBooks and audiobooks);
- And over $9,000 for general and unrestricted support to the library.
All of these contributions are above and beyond what the Library is able to budget on its own. The Friends are committed to continuing our essential financial support to the Library, but our resources are not limitless. We had the foresight to create what might be considered a “rainy day” fund balance; now the “rain” is pouring down and draining our resources with it.
We know that this year has been a significant struggle for many. So the Friends are not mailing out our annual appeal letter this fall. However, if you are fortunate enough to be in a position to contribute to the Friends, we hope you will consider doing so, in whatever amount you feel comfortable giving. Donations may be made via PayPal or with a credit or debit card by using the DONATE button at www.benzonialibrary.org, or checks payable to “Friends of BPL” may be mailed to Friends of Benzonia Public Library, P.O. Box 445, Benzonia, MI 49616. Your support is essential to our mission of serving the Library, thereby allowing the Library to serve the people of our region in the best possible way. We thank you in advance for your generosity.
Roger Dewey
President, Friends of Benzonia Public Library
Friends of Benzonia Public Library are a 501(c)(3) organization, Tax ID (EIN): 56-2542168.
Contributions are deductible within the limit of the law.
Contributions are deductible within the limit of the law.
