By Miriam Meza –
Valentine’s Day is not just roses, cards, and yummy chocolate. It is about expressing love and appreciation to those around you.
When you think of Valentine’s Day, hearts may come to mind. For Aurora Public Library Foundation (APLF), big-hearted individuals are what comes to mind. Generous volunteers and donors offer support so Aurora’s homebound and financially-challenged Aurora Township residents can gain access to APL materials.
Homebound residents cannot come to the Library, so we bring the Library to them One homebound resident recently shared: “The Library literally keeps me alive. I love it when they bring me all sorts of books and movies. Without these things, what would I do? I also love that they spend some time with me.”
Moreover, big-hearted donors support literacy for our at-risk children and make possible tools that ignite imaginations in science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM). These resources, along with other state-of-the-art technologies, positively impact individual’s lives every day.
Aurora Public Library and Foundation are grateful for all donations. Please visit www.APLFoundationIL.org to see the 2018 honor roll of donors. You can see the honor roll of donors on the giving wall near the west entrance of the Richard and Gina Santori Public Library and on posters in our branches.
We are thankful to Alarm Detection Systems, Inc. and Reuland Food Service for their title sponsorships of 2018 events. At the events we had the privilege to honor the Kiwanis Club of Aurora with the Lifelong Learning Inspiration Award.
The Lifelong Learning Inspiration Award was established in 2016 in honor of Richard and Gina Santori for inspiring all to be lifelong learners. SPARK (Strong, Prepared, And Ready for Kindergarten) and Daniel and Theresa Barreiro were previous recipients. These recipients’ model lifelong learning and the impact they have made in Aurora and in individual’s lives. It is inspiring.
This year needs big-hearted individuals, too! In addition to serving those in need, we are kicking-off a campaign for a new bookmobile. Our Bookmobile has been on the road since 2002!
How can you help? Please mark your calendar for August 24, for a Barbecue Luau. Mark your calendar for December 7, to attend for Magical Stories Reception and Auction. At the events, the 2019 Lifelong Learning Inspiration recipient will be honored.
To learn more about being an event sponsor or auction donor, please contact Aurora Public Library Foundation at 630-264-4124 or Foundation@aurorapubliclibrary.org.
Miriam Meza is communications manager for Aurora Public Library.
