YOUNGSVILLE

PUBLIC

LIBRARY HOLDING FUNDRAISER

The Friends of the Youngsville Public Library’s 13th annual “Love Your Library’ giveaway is going on now through Friday, March 31.

This year there are 11 uniquely themed choices filled with gift cards, cash, and lottery tickets. Each of the 11 themed options has a value of $100 or more and each currently on display at the Youngsville Library. For a $5 donation participants will receive five tickets to be used toward the theme(s) of their choice; participants can purchase as many tickets as they’d like provided the total amount purchased is divisible by 5 (i.e. $5 for 5, $10 for 10, $20 for 20, $30 for 30). Winners will be contacted by phone, listed in the Times Observer and on the library’s website and Facebook page.

“We’re really excited about this year’s Love Your Library fundraiser for a lot of reasons,” said Kristy Wallace, library director. “First there are 11 themed-options for people to choose from this year, that’s the most we’ve ever had. Second, the library is using different chance tickets that are in $5 denominations. Plus the chance tickets that we’re using this year are also perforated so that people don’t have to write their name as often for larger denominations. The tickets are similar to what the Hospital Auxiliary used this year so if you supported their fundraiser this year then you’ll have an idea of what the Library’s fundraiser tickets will be like too.”

There are a variety of ways for county resident to participate in this annual fundraiser: visit the library during business hours, get chances from a board, Youngsville Public Library Friend or staff member, download a “Raffle Request Form” from the homepage of the library website, visit the Youngsville Borough Office from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday for a Raffle Request Form, or swing by Valley Bowling (9 W. Main St., Youngsville) from Monday, Feb. 20, through Wednesday, March 7. Valley Bowling’s open bowling hours are Fridays from 9 to 11 p.m., Saturdays from 1 to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Forms are also available during league bowling hours seven days a week. For league hours call 814-563-4320 or visit the Valley Bowling Facebook page or website (ValleyBowlingCenter.net). For a complete list of all businesses that will have the “Raffle Request Forms” available, go to www.YoungsvilleLibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page.

“The downloadable form is really easy to use and works well for people who want to support the Youngsville Library fundraiser but aren’t able to get to the library during our business hours.” Wallace said. “All you have to do is go to the ‘Raffle Request Form’ link that is on the homepage of our website: YoungsvilleLibrary.org. Next just print and complete the form and specify how many chances you would like and for which of the 11 themed options. You can then mail the completed form and donation check directly to the Youngsville Public Library or you can drop off your completed form and donation check in a sealed envelope in our secure drop-box which is accessible 24/7. We will contact you, by phone, that we’ve received your request and will also fill-out the raffle tickets on your behalf and place them in the corresponding containers. One of last year’s winners was actually through the Raffle Request Form. Since this is our second-biggest fundraising event for the year, we are really hoping for a good response this year.”

The 11 themed choices are:

¯ “Fill ‘er Up”: $50 Sheetz cards, $50 Kwik Fill cards;

¯ “Dinner & a Movie”: $50 Dipson Theater gift cards, $50 cash;

¯ “Keep on Scratching”: $100 in scratch off lottery tickets;

¯ “Good Eats”: $25 Applebee’s, $20 Ida Mae’s, $30 Mama Janes, $20 Ribs-n-Bones, $10 cash;

¯ “Got Ya Covered”: $100 Carter Lumber Gift Card;

¯ “From Outdoor needs to Indoor Fun”: $100 KAM’s logging supplies and outdoor wear,

¯ “Let’s go Shopping”: $50 Walmart card, $25 Tops Markets card, $25 cash;

¯ “You Name It, We Got It”: $100 Youngsville Hardware,

¯ “Cold Cash”: $100 bill,

¯ “Yngs Food & Bev”: $50 Lonnie’s Pizza, $25 Huey’s Restaurant, $25 Youngsville Homebrews coffee shop; and

¯ “Yngs Food & More”: $30 Dairy Queen card, $50 Genuine Jerky, $20 Outlet City/Simple Dick’s.

Each gift card was generously donated by the merchant and the $100 bill for “Cold Cash” was provided by Scott Olewine of Olewine Financial Group in Warren, all other items are sponsored by the Friends of the Youngsville Library. This year there are some new donors, including Youngsville Hardware, KAM’s, Youngsville Homebrews, Ribs-n-Bones and Ida Mae’s.

Story time: Youngsville Library story time will be on Tuesday from 10:30 to 11 a.m. No registration required, target ages are children ages 3-6 but all are welcome. This month’s story time will feature a “Sensory-Story Time” format and include more interactive manipulatives during story time as well as opportunities for self-paced activities. There will be stories, songs and sensory immersion activities.

Free Wi-Fi Access: Those who need access to free wi-fi can do so at the Youngsville Public Library 24/7. To access free public Wi-Fi (paid for by the library), use hotspot “Homework Hub,” no password required. The “Homework Hub” hotspot can be accessed from the library’s parking lot and extends towards High Street. Those who need it can also access free-to-the-public wi-fi within the library during business hours.

Book Club: Youngsville Library’s book club, “Reading between the Spines” will meet on Tuesday from 3 to 4 p.m. The book being discussed is “A Woman of No Importance” by Sonia Purnell. Book club book that will be discussed in March is “Reminders of Him” by Colleen Hoover. Those interested in joining “Reading Between the Spines” book club drop by the second Tuesday of the month or call the library at 814-563-7670.

BOROUGH NEWS

Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 5:30 p.m. there is a meeting regarding the future of Youngsville’s Downtown Redevelopment at the Youngsville Borough Building (40 Railroad St). The public is encouraged to attend as public input is important. The master plan for the Downtown Redevelopment will be presented by Benjamin Levenger. Items to be discussed/reviewed include: project kickoff, public input, existing conditions assessment, market analysis and economic vibrancy recommendation, and community vision.

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS

Spring Gala: The Warren General Hospital Auxiliary will be holding a “Swing into Sprint” gala fundraiser on Friday, March 17, from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Conewango Club (201 Market St.). Dinner buffet will be served from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The event includes a cash bar and music by For the People. Cocktail attire is required. Tickets are $50 per person and must be purchased in advance. Reserve a table for eight in advance for $400, which includes tickets. Tickets are available at the WGH Window Box Gift Shop or by calling 814-723-4973, ext. 1835 with questions. Make checks payable to the WGH Auxiliary.

Penny Wars: A penny drive fundraiser for YMCA Blessing Boxes is ongoing at the Youngsville-Branch YMCA through March 1. The goal is to build “Blessing Boxes” within the county and near the area YMCAs. Blessing Boxes are another way to make items available to those in need. Items within the Blessing Boxes include nonperishable food, toiletries, warmth items (hats, gloves, scarves) etc. and even can include kind words in letters, messages, and books. A Blessings Box — Penny Wars container will also be onsite at the Youngsville Library now through March 1. For more information call the Youngsville YMCA at 814-802-1618.

Ninth Annual Craft Show: Saturday, March 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.mm. is the ninth annual Spring Craft Show at the Warren YMCA (212 Lexington Ave.) General admission is $1. The show fills two gymnasiums with room to expand.

Free Kindergarten Readiness: Steps to Kindergarten, from WQLN Erie-PBS Kids, is being brought to the community by the Warren County YMCA in partnership with the Allegheny Community Center and Jefferson Defrees Family Center Childcare. Upon completion of all three kindergarten readiness sessions and the celebration (by both parent and child), children will be provided a free WQLN Kids Club Membership, free resources and tools for school (i.e. books and school supplies), and an educational tablet. The three main sessions dates are March 9, 16 and 23 at the Allegheny Community Center from 5 to 6:45 p.m. for a family program and dinner. Celebration date is June 8 at the Warren YMCA from 5 to 6 p.m. Register by Monday, Feb. 20, Forms and details available at Youngsville YMCA, Youngsville Library, and Warren YMCA. An online sign-up form is available at wkf.ms/30X0MKH For more information, call 814-726-0110.