March
27, 2008
November “Bling Thing” foundation fund-raiser brings in more than $38,650
 The
Brevard Library Foundation’s first Holiday Bling Thing jewelry auction
last Nov. 16 at Wesche Jewelers in Viera has brought in a final tally
of more than $38,650 to aid county library programs and events.
More than 175 people attended the $100-per-person, invitation-only gala
and auction at the upscale jewelry store at 8145 N. Wickham Road.
“It was a terrific evening and we are very pleased with how well we
did in raising money to support library programs,” said Ned Kellar,
foundation executive director. “We had a few pieces of fine jewelry
left over from the evening and we were able to sell these pieces for
additional income.” The preliminary fund-raising amount was set at $36,000
in December 2007.
 In
addition to the auction, the gala, which started at 7 p.m., featured
a book signing by popular novelist Tim Dorsey, the author of 10 Florida-based
mysteries including “Hurricane Punch,” “Orange Crush” and “Torpedo Juice.”
His latest novel, “Atomic Lobster,” is due out in January.
In addition to the
auctions and book signing, Creative Catering by The Farinas provided
elegant hors d ‘oeuvres. Wine, beer and soft drinks were also served
to guests.
Major sponsors for
the fund-raiser included Florida Today, Lockheed Martin, United Launch
Alliance, United Space Alliance, Community Educators Credit Union, United
Space Alliance Employee’s One Fund, AGT, The Boeing Company, AT&T,
Clear Channel, Wuesthoff Health Systems, Betty Demchock, Mike Coleman
on behalf of the Freedom Forum, Wal Mart and Berman, Hopkins, Wright
& La Ham CPA.
For more information
about the Holiday Bling Thing or the work of the foundation, contact
the foundation office at 633-1887.
Foundation Introduces
New Logo, Travel Service
Visitors to the Brevard Library Foundation website now will find a modern
new logo at the top of each page, plus an opportunity to use the organization’s
new fund-raising travel service to book airline tickets, hotels, cruises
and more.
The new foundation logo, designed by Stephen Hall, managing partner
of efSmart Marketing Services of Florida , has the appearance of a digitized
bird in flight, representing Brevard’s rich natural beauty as well as
the importance of the space program and technology in this community.
“The center of the logo represents the pages of a traditional book,”
said Hall, adding that the wings of the new logo “represent the opportunity
and potential – in every format and medium – that the financial resources
of the foundation bring to the people of Brevard through the Brevard
Library System.” He noted that the lettering retains the appearance
of finely chiseled traditional public library building typography.
The new artwork replaces the old foundation logo of multiple stacked
books.
“This is a tremendous new logo,” said Foundation Director Ned Kellar.
“It represents the foundation’s new direction in fund-raising and projects,
especially our proposed Digital Inspiration Center for the main library
office in Cocoa.”
The DIC is a high-tech lab area that will be located in a 13,000-square
foot area of the third floor of the Central Brevard Library and will
feature all the latest “cutting edge” computer equipment for use for
free by local residents of all ages and abilities. The idea for the
million dollar-plus center is modeled on the highly successful Virtual
Village, created by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Library System
in North Carolina. Once in operation, the DIC will be the only one like
it in Florida. (See more on the DIC under Future Projects.)
“Our new logo definitely represents our ambition to help libraries soar
into the new technological age, while enhancing traditional services,”
said Kellar.
The new travel service, http://www.brevardlibraryfoundationtravel.com
is a full-service online travel bureau which is maintained by YTB Travel
Network Inc.and provides 40 percent of booking commissions to fund library
foundation programs. The YTB service provider, headquartered in Edwardsville,
IL, was founded by retired pastor Lloyd ‘Coach’ Tomer specifically to
help private, non-profit organizations raise funds.
Among services the new on-line travel bureau will offer are airline
bookings, auto rentals, hotel reservations, rail trips, cruises and
tours, sporting and concert tickets, golf vacations and island resort
packages.
The travel service’s key industry alliances include Worldspan, Hotels.com,
Priceline.com, CheapSeats.com, and Apple Vacations.
“The best part about all of this,” said Kellar, “is that it is easy
to use, offers very competitive prices and provides much needed funding
for the foundation and its programs. I can’t think of a better way for
library supporters to help our community than to use this new service
to book all their travel needs.”
Visitors to the foundation website will find a special box on the home
page which allows them to easily connect to the new travel service.
In addition, there is a Brevard Library Foundation Travel button in
the left-hand Index Box on each website page which will provide one
click access to the service.
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