March 17, 2022 found the Colma Community Center welcoming DCPLA back for its annual fundraising lunch, after a two year hiatus.
Over 120 DCPLA members and lunch sponsors were greeted by event chair Sara Watson of Tri-Counties Bank, along with bagpiper Hal Wilkes. Board President Trisha deVera turned the floor over to the Murphy Irish Dancers –Sheridan family members Brenden, Melissa, Tony and Ryan. They performed several dances to the great delight of the audience!
The Board of Directors served the corned beef and vegetable lunch buffet style while adhering to health protocols. Bob McLennan sponsored the food and Dominic’s prepared it; Molloy’s provided the bar for a “taste” to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
The program continued with DCPLA’s partner – the City of Daly City. City Manager Shawnna Maltbie stressed how important the support of DCPLA was, especially during the pandemic. She thanked the members for granting over $40,000 in 2021 and highlighted DCPLA’s launch of the youth poet laureate program – the first in San Mateo County.
She was followed by the Assistant City Manager Stephen Stolte who spoke about the position libraries are in to prove their value and how they need to “re-imagine” their services, becoming more diversified. He gave good news about the Council restoring some library hours and providing a robust Wi-Fi network to the Bayshore community.
The featured speaker at this year’s event was best-selling author Cara Black. She just released her latest Aimee Leduc mystery (Murder at the Porte de Versailles) which after the lunch she sold and autographed, with a portion of the proceeds going to DCPLA. Cara shared with the audience how she grew up going to the library with her father. Every Saturday they would go and check out books – 7 for him as he was a voracious reader, devouring a book a day – all as an adult and the tradition continued as she took her son to the Noe Valley library branch, and Cara began writing.
It was while doing research for her first book, based in Paris during the German occupation, which led her to meet DCPLA member Denise Schwarzbach. The Jewish library in San Francisco connected Cara with Denise as someone who could talk personally about that time in history. They’ve remained fast friends. Cara reiterated how valuable libraries are – including for authors doing research. “Libraries are part of my life”
Trisha deVera then introduced the “Fund the Need” portion of the lunch. Former DCPLA Board President Adrienne Tissier directed the guests’ attention to the center of the tables with three bags in the colors of the Irish flag! She promoted funding for the “Activity Tower” for the John Daly library, which features interactive play elements for young patrons.
Adrienne was followed by another former Board President, Tom Nuris who attempted to hypnotize the crowd so they would put donations in the bag for book display furniture – a multimedia display system that can highlight various subjects – such as during Women’s History month in March.
The last promotion was led by DCPLA Board member Monica Devincenzi who enticed the audience to choose the “Lucky Day Collection” with the announcement that if you donated to this you might win an autographed copy of Cara Black’s book and Apple AirPods.
The event closed with a raffle drawing, after which DCPLA DirectorTeresa Proano led everyone in singing “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” and Patrick Sweetland gave the Irish blessing. “May the dreams youhold dearest be those which come true. The kindness you spread keep returning to you”.
The event committee was chaired by Sara Watson joined by members Susan Brissenden-Smith, Brian Dossey, Felicia Leong, Teresa Proano, and Adrienne Tissier.
Victoria Magbilang, Executive Director provided on-going staff support.
