Donors Thanked for Contributions to Library Benefit Event

A hot September night and some cool jazz, plus wine, hors d’oeurves and fabulous opportunity baskets in the beautiful Library garden, provided the right setting for to support the Murrieta Public Library’s collections and programs for the community.

The Murrieta Public Library Foundation and the Friends of the Murrieta Library hosted the concert and reception on Sunday, Sept. 30.

Murrieta Mayor Pro Tem Rick Gibbs was on hand to pay tribute to the evening’s honorees, Shirley and Fred Grimes, who contributed much to the development and growth of the city of Murrieta, and were major contributors to the construction of the Children’s Reading Room and the Heritage Room in the Library. Since the 2007 opening of the Library, both areas have been in constant use by children and their parents in the Children’s Reading Room and students of local history in the Heritage Room.

Jazz ensemble, Hart and Soul with Friends, performed to an appreciative audience. Jennifer Hart, vocalist, and Llew Matthews, pianist-arranger-composer, returned to this event for the second year by popular request, and brought with them Benjamin May, bass player, and Bob Forte, drummer. The group kept toes tapping and heads nodding in time with the music throughout the evening.

Many community donors stepped forward to contribute to the fundraiser and support the Library’s services to the community, noted Director of Library Services, Loretta McKinney.

These included Anthony’s Ristorante and Lounge, the Murrieta Library Committee of the Temecula Valley Women’s Club, Bear Creek Golf Club, Commerce Bank of Temecula Valley, Transit Sales International, Murrieta Valley Funeral Home, Olivewood Market, Inc., The Shootist, The Mill, North County Sand and Gravel, Aroma’s Coffee and Café, The Cake Cottage, J. Carter’s Tavern Grill, Rustico Ristorante and Pizzeria, City Bagel and Bakery, and Sebastians Italian Grill, as well as a number of very generous individuals.

Murrieta Public Library Foundation President Juanita Blankenship, and Friends of the Murrieta Library President Luanne Ferrer agreed that Murrieta is fortunate to have its wonderful and well-used Library, and that it is gratifying to see the community join together to support its many services to the community. 

—Submitted by Roberta Fokken, Friends of the Murrieta Library