Global Outreach Seeks Volunteers and Donations

Chapter’s Global Outreach Committee seeks volunteers and donations for raffle prizes

by Rita Ormsby
SLA-NY Global Outreach Committee chair

At the chapter’s upcoming annual meeting, Oct. 15, and holiday party, Dec. 10, the SLA-NY Global Outreach Committee will again hold raffles with the proceeds going to aid the Lubuto Library Project, http://www.blogger.com/www.lubuto.org. This nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, started by SLA-D.C. member Jane Kinney Meyers, builds libraries in Zambia so that street children and children who have lost family members to HIV/AIDS and other diseases have a place to read books and socialize. Through the generosity of SLA-NY members, last year our chapter contributed more than $1,000 to the Lubuto Library Project, which was greatly appreciated and for which many thanks were received.

During the two upcoming chapter meetings, raffle tickets will once again be available for $1 each, or 6 tickets for $5. Prizes that are awarded are frequently donated by members—books, wine, tickets, handmade jewelry, pens and pencils, and food, such as the flatbread made by chef Jim Copening, the husband of SLA member Donna Slawsky.

If you have a prize that you would like to donate to either raffle, please contact committee chair Rita Ormsby, rita.ormsby@baruch.cuny.edu. She can also be contacted if you would like to help with the committee. In 2001, SLA NY members Lois Weinstein and Lilleth Newby started the Global Outreach Committee to help provide gift certificated for Brodart library supplies to special libraries in developing nations. Through the raffle proceeds raised at chapter meetings, about two libraries were helped each year. When the chapter members learned of the Lubuto Library Project, which plans to build 100 libraries in Africa in the next ten years, it was decided that the Global Outreach raffle proceeds would help support this project.

The raffles have been successful because of the donations by members of both money and time. Special thanks go to members Nan C. Schubel, Louise Masarof, Holly Bussey, Helen Tannenbaum, Suzanne Castroman, Maggie Smith, Jamie Russell and Donna Slawsky for their help with recent raffles, and to Lois Weinstein and Lilleth Newby for their efforts in establishing the committee.

We hope to see you at the upcoming meetings… and with a winning ticket at an upcoming raffle.