Dear Friends,

GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: one day of the year to encourage people to do good. Today, GivingTuesday is a worldwide movement that inspires people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. This year, the event will be observed on Tuesday, December 3.

To celebrate the day, the Friends of the Library is raising funds for specific library programs to be held in 2025 in support of CRRL’s mission of inspiring lifelong learning for everyone in our community. Rising prices and budget constraints affect the library’s ability to fully cover the costs of quality programs and events, so, this year, your GivingTuesday donation will go directly to the following:

• Your donation of $50 supports a season of growing in a library community garden, benefiting local partner agencies like the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank and S.E.R.V.E.
• Your donation of $75 awards a cash prize to a teen art show, poetry, or stop motion video contest winner.
• Your donation of $100 provides "Uniquely..." jurisdictional art show prizes and reception.
• Your donation of $200 sponsors 40 books for Summer Reading prizes.
• Your donation of $700 hires a band to play during the 2025 Music on the Steps summer concert series.

The importance of your financial support can’t be overstated. Keep reading for details about each donation category.

Donations of $100 or more will be recognized on the Friends’ website, social media, and in a special edition of the Friends of the Library newsletter. 

We are so thankful for your membership and your continued support of the library.

Sincerely,

Salem Waters

Friends President

CRRL’s award-winning Community Gardens inspire connection to nature, as well as education on all things gardening. In addition, the vegetable gardens provide produce that benefit partner agencies such as the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank and S.E.R.V.E., Stafford’s Food Pantry. Nearly 400 pounds of produce have been donated in 2024. The gardens at Howell, Porter, and Salem Church are open to everyone, and donations at this level will support a season of growing in 2025.

8 donations of $50 are needed to fulfill this category.

The library encourages local teens to engage in the arts by hosting the annual Johnny P. Johnson Teen Art Show, Claudia Emerson Teen Poetry Contest, and Teen Stop Motion Video Contest. Contest winners are promoted on the library’s website, and each receives a cash prize. Donations at this level will be used to provide cash prizes to each of the winners of the 2025 teen contests. 

11 donations of $75 are needed to fulfill this category.

Our local art scene is vibrant, and the library celebrates area artists, as well as our region, with the Uniquely Art Show series. Rotating between Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Spotsylvania, the shows capture the unique people, places, and history of our area. Cash prizes are awarded to Best in Show, 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place, and Honorable Mention winners, and receptions celebrating the artists and their works are held during the events. Donations at this level will be used to sponsor the prizes and reception for the 2025 Uniquely Spotsylvania Art Show.

12 donations of $100 are needed to fulfill this category.

Each year, the library’s Summer Reading program reaches thousands of area children and teens, encouraging them to read during the summer months and minimizing learning loss while out of school. In 2024, 4,066 youth readers participated. Donations at this level will be used to purchase books given as prizes to participants during the 2025 Summer Reading program.

25 donations of $200 are needed to fulfill this category.

Since 1985, CRRL’s Music on the Steps summer concert series has been entertaining our region with a wide variety of musical acts. From funk and soul to classic country and brass, this popular music series offers something for everyone– more than 2,000 people attended the concerts in 2024. Donations at this level will be used to hire the bands to perform during Music on the Steps’s 40th year.

13 donations of $700 are needed to fulfill this category.

Did you know that the Friends have their very own Facebook page at facebook.com/CRRLFriends? On Tuesday, December 3, we'll be posting all about our #GivingTuesday campaign! If you’re not already connected with us on social media, this is a great time to start, so you can follow our progress and like and share our messages. 

Please share this email with anyone who might be interested in joining the Friends.

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