Foundation News December 2022

A Note from the Executive Director

Dear {contactfield=firstname|Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation Friend},

Welcome to the first edition of Giving Connector, the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation’s new quarterly newsletter! Our goal is to keep you up to date on Foundation activities, events, and opportunities, share our collective impact, introduce you to our amazing supporters and library staff, and more! I hope you’ll enjoy being part of this new adventure. 
 
2022 was an incredible year of transformation and growth for the Foundation. We were pleased to see increased support from individuals, foundations, and community partners – a testament to the value of public libraries in our community. We look forward to starting the new year full of enthusiasm for the future with an expanded Board of Directors, improved infrastructure, and a commitment to amplifying the impact of community philanthropy for all our libraries. You have been instrumental to our success, and I am deeply grateful for your generosity and support in keeping Sno-Isle Libraries strong and thriving. 
 
As you plan your year-end charitable giving, I hope you’ll consider supporting the Foundation by making a gift of any size that is meaningful to you and helping us reach our fundraising goal of $50,000 by December 31. Whether you choose to give $10 or $1,000, we appreciate and treasure each gift and will immediately invest it into vital library programs and services.   
 
I hope the new year is an exciting chapter of your story full of promising new beginnings and great adventures. Thank you for being with us on this journey. I look forward to all we will accomplish together in 2023!  

With gratitude, 

Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation Executive Director

Show Your Love for Libraries This Holiday Season

Help spread the holiday cheer with a gift to the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation and help us reach our goal of $50,000 by December 31. Donations of any size help us get closer to our goal and enable us to keep our libraries strong and thriving. 

Meet the Foundation’s New Board Members

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Jeanne Thorsen, Ryan Willis, Rim Benoud-Schmitz, Colin McMahon, and Sami Postma to the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation Board of Directors.  

Donor Spotlight: Jackie & Frank DeFazio 

Meet Foundation supporters Jackie and Frank DeFazio and learn why they support the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation.  

A Huge Thank You to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation 

The Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation is honored to be the recipient of a generous $100,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Learn how we plan to invest this significant contribution in this recent feature in the Everett Herald.  

2021 Impact Report 

2021 was a year of challenges and opportunities. We are extremely grateful for the generosity of our supporters. From transformational estate gifts and donations to our annual fund, to contributions to the Foundation’s Equity/Opportunity Fund during COVID-19, your support signifies your passion for literacy, lifelong learning, and equity. 

Sno-Isle Staff Spotlight: Tricia Lee 

Sno-Isle Libraries' amazing staff are the heart of our libraries and make them the inspiring and welcoming places they are. Get to know Tricia Lee, assistant director of equity, inclusion, and development.  

Arlington Library Trivia 

• The Arlington Library was built in 1981 and designed as an earth building. Dirt berms cover three sides of the building intended to help with insulation. The fourth side is oriented so windows face south to let in the sun.
• The library’s new metal roof installed in the summer of 2022 was made possible with support from the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation.  
• Tucked in the neighborhood with residential housing all around, the Arlington Library has had some interesting visitors including chickens, squirrels, cats, dogs, bats, and a parrot.
• Have you seen the giant humpback whale in the library? The whale was carved from a single cedar log by Camano Island sculptor George Giffin and donated to the library by the Monty Family.  
• The Arlington Library was selected to playtest the new card game Bears vs. Babies. Local teens were thrilled to meet “The Oatmeal” webcomic artist, Matt Inman, creator of the popular game Exploding Kittens, and get a first peek at the new game in 2017.
• Most interesting item found in the bookdrop over the years? A whole salmon!

Did you know that starting in 2023, the Arlington Library will be undergoing a major renovation with a focus on improved accessibility, sustainability, and general upgrades? Please visit the Arlington Library webpage for regular updates.

If you’d like to get involved and help support this project, please contact us at Foundation@sno-isle.org for more information.  

There are many different ways to support the work of the Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation. Show your love for your library today by making a gift of any size that is meaningful to you.  
 
Questions? Comments? Ideas? We’d love to hear from you! Contact us at Foundation@sno-isle.org, follow us on Facebook, or via mail at:

7312 35th Ave NE
Marysville WA 98271
(360) 651-7074
sno-islefoundation.org