14 January, 2016
Hopkinton Public Library Foundation. Inc (HPLF) has received an inspiring boost in its fundraising for the planned restoration, renovation and expansion of Hopkinton Public Library from a group of local residents – about 50 Chinese families who have banded together to contribute $6,200 to the project, including donations from about a dozen kids as young as 4 years old.
The idea was first brought up by Xuan Tang, a long time Hopkinton resident, as he read a HPLF flyer. The fundraising was then coordinated by a small group of Hopkinton Chinese residents. They are part of a larger group of local Chinese families who occasionally meet to share experiences and home cooked food. Jingping Ma, a Hopkinton resident for 10 years, has noticed that more Chinese families have settled in town in recent years. She said, “More and more people in this group are trying to find ways to give back and support the local community. It was brought to our attention recently that we may be able to support the fundraising effort for the new Library within the Chinese community and we wanted to contribute … as one group.” Ye Tao, who moved with his family to Hopkinton about a year ago, echoes Jingping’s message, giving the reason that “Hopkinton is our home” as why he and so many others have decided to contribute to the community effort to build a new Library.
The group has selected one of the many available Naming Opportunities in the new Library building, specifically they have chosen a “New Books” Display, which will be located on the main floor of the new Library’s lobby. Naming Opportunities, available for gifts starting at $2,500, recognize donors with an individual plaque at the location selected. While this group of families has not yet determined their group’s name that will appear on their plaque, they have asked that it appear in both English and Chinese. “We are very excited that the plaque will be printed in Chinese and English” said Rownak Hussain, Library Director of Hopkinton Public Library. “Our Library is a place and a resource for everyone, and continually strives to serve the growingly diverse residents and interests of the Hopkinton community.” A colorful banner, created by Christine Sun, was donated to the Library to commemorate the gift.
To date, over 200 families, organizations and businesses have contributed to the 1000 Homes for Hopkinton campaign, raising over $700,000. HPLF welcome and appreciates donations from groups. In early 2014, another group of Hopkinton residents, the Aprilla Farm and Front Street Neighborhood, banded together to collectively contribute $1,600 to the Library building project. All those who join 1000 Homes will be recognized by a shared plaque to hang in the new Library.
For more information about available Naming Opportunities and joining 1000 Homes for Hopkinton Library, please visit the HPLF website and the HPLF Facebook page.
About Hopkinton Public Library Foundation, Inc.
Founded in 2011, Hopkinton Public Library Foundation, Inc. (HPLF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission to raise private funds to support the state-of-the-art restoration, renovation and expansion of Hopkinton Public Library. HPLF has raised over $700,000 for the Library project. HPLF appreciates the Hopkinton community’s tremendous response, and asks for the community’s continued support. Gifts in any amount are welcome and appreciated, and are tax-deductible. For more information about how to build with us through 1000 Homes for Hopkinton Library, and the restoration, renovation and expansion of Hopkinton Library, please visit the HPLF website and the HPLF Facebook page.
