The Sapphire Supper Club Raises $242,000 for Harford County Public Library; Nearly 600 Guests Attend Fundraiser

From the Harford County Public Library:

Nearly 600 guests filled the stacks of the Abingdon Branch of Harford County Public Library on Saturday, November 5 for the Library’s 7th Annual Gala. The record-breaking crowd enjoyed the atmosphere of the Sapphire Supper Club’s 1940s theme with great food, dancing, drinks, and spirited live and silent auctions. The event broke all previous records, raising over $242,000 in gross proceeds including media and event sponsorships, and more than $90,000 in net proceeds.

“We are so appreciative of the support and generosity of the Harford County community in making the 7th Annual Library Gala a record-breaking event,” said Mary Hastler, Library Director. “It was an unforgettable evening and the funds raised will enable the library to continue supporting the essential summer reading program, early literacy initiatives and other special library activities. The Sapphire Supper Club was the perfect way to finish the year in celebrating the Harford County Public Library’s 65th Anniversary!”

Foundation Director Amber C. Shrodes is excited to put the proceeds to work.

“We are thrilled with the results of the Gala,” said Shrodes. “Sponsorships, ticket sales, auction donations, raffle sales, and live and silent auction bid results were all unprecedented. This will enable us to do great things for the Library!”

A 40-person Gala team helped bring the event to fruition including the transformation of the Abingdon Branch into a 1940s Supper Club, which featured a 22-piece orchestra, small plates by Pairing’s Bistro, Brooms Bloom Dairy, Wegmans, and Sweet Devotion’s Cupcake and Crepery, drinks by Jim’s Bottle Works, Coffee Coffee, and DuClaw Brewery, and a Signature Martini Bar by Liberatore’s Ristorante.

“The Library Foundation, Library Staff, and Gala Committee work very hard each year to make the Gala a memorable evening. The food, the drinks, the music, and the auction items were all fantastic, and helped to raise a significant amount to benefit the Library,” said Mark Welsh, President, HCPL Foundation.

But the Library wasn’t the only big winner at the Sapphire Supper Club. Christopher Hoover, teacher and coach of the varsity boys’ soccer team at Fallston High School, and his wife, Angela, placed the winning bid for the Backyard Crashers package, a yard makeover valued at $50,000 donated by Rock Solid Hardscaping, Clark Turner Signature Homes, Nature Unlimited, Kroh’s Nursery, and Techo Block.

“When I heard about the Backyard Crashers project, I knew I needed a ticket to the Gala,” said Christopher Hoover. Hoover’s Grandfather, William Dinka, passed away in May and left him a bequest for home improvements. “The project was a perfect fit for our family, as we are avid supporters of the Harford County Libraries and we love to entertain outdoors.”

Backyard Crashers broke ground on Monday, November 14th. When complete, the project will include a 500 square-foot patio, a fire pit, sitting walls, built-in grill, pergola, and a memorial in honor of Mr. Dinka.

“From the moment the Library Foundation approached us we were excited to partner on this unique project,” said Craig Naparstek, President of Rock Solid Hardscaping. “It has given the Team an opportunity to support the Library, which plays a key role in our community. Meeting the Hoovers and hearing their story heightened our enthusiasm for the project.”

Backyard Crashers is being filmed for a 30-minute segment that will air on Harford Cable Network, and is being followed by fans on Facebook at HCPL’s Foundation page. Dixie Construction and Harford Rental have also provided services for the project.

Further excitement during the Gala came when Lance Hersh and Kevin Ferrell of Saxon’s Diamond Centers drew the winning raffle ticket for the stunning sapphire and diamond ring that had been made exclusively for the Library’s 65th anniversary. The ring will be presented to Mary Amoss next week at the Fallston Branch of Harford County Public Library which was the winning branch in the Library’s raffle ticket sale contest.

“Our commitment to the community makes it a natural fit to support the Harford County Public Library,” stated Hersh. “Each year we look forward to sponsoring this amazing event.”

Presenting sponsors for this year’s gala were Saxon’s Diamond Centers, Rock Solid Hardscaping, Clark Turner Signature Homes, Kroh’s Nursery, and Richardson’s Flowers and Gifts. Headlining sponsors were The Aegis; Comcast; M&T Bank; Liberatore’s Ristorante; Nature Unlimited, WXCY; and Mason Dixon Arrive. Premiere Sponsors were APG Federal Credit Union; FastFrame; Harford County Tourism; URS Corporation; Kay Deitz; SRC; La Banque de Fleuve, Two Brothers Moving; Segami Media; Vanity’s Edge; Techo-Bloc; Harford’s Heart; Kleins ShopRite; Select Event Rentals; Hart to Heart Ambulance; and The Stancill Wulkow Family Trust/Stancills Inc. Supporting Sponsors included Library Interiors; Bank of America; Bel Air Friends, Brooms Bloom Dairy, Bonefish Grill, Coffee Coffee, Bill and Paige Cox/William H. Cox, Jr. Real Estate; Dancing with Friends; Flowers by Bauers, HC Style; Jarvis Appliance, Al & Christine Williamson; Point Breeze Credit Union; Dr. William and Carol Allen; Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman, Hoffberger & Hollander, LLC; Ronald Parker, PA; True Housewives of Bel Air; Harford Mutual Insurance; Dick and Susan Kinard; Matt and Beth Hendrix; Edmeades & Stromdahl, LTD;, Pairings Bistro, PNC Wealth Management; Baker & Taylor; Freedom Federal Credit Union; Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; Events by I Did it Myself; SAIC; Mark and Mary Hastler; Rick and Mary Herbig; Dr. Teddy Wray, DDS; Saks Fifth Avenue, Skylight Creative Ideas, Edmund and Lucie Snodgrass; Slavie Federal Savings Bank; and Robinson and Robinson, Attorneys at Law, and Wegmans.

The Harford County Public Library Foundation is a 501© 3 charitable organization established to raise funds to augment the financial resources of the Library and to promote awareness of library services. For more information call 410 273 5601 x 2283.

The Sapphire Supper Club was open for one night only at Harford County Public Library’s 7th Annual Gala on November 5, 2011. Photo by J.Thomas Photography: www.jthomasblog.com

Couples were togged to the bricks in 1940s attire at Harford County Public Library’s 7th Annual Gala, the Sapphire Supper Club. Photo by Leo Heppner.