The Glendora Public Library Friends Foundation honored their generous donors at a reception on Friday, February 1 at the Glendora Public Library. Special recognition was given to Mike and Kitty Garvey and Thom and Sheryl Hill.
Mike and Kitty Garvey have been dedicated and energetic supporters of the GPL Friends Foundation. They were hosts for the Tables of Contents fundraiser and, with Mike’s support, Kitty spearheaded the gala library event, Night on the Plaza for the last twelve years. This event has raised over $1.5 for the library’s early childhood education, book fund and adult literacy outreach.
Both Mike and Kitty’s companies, Zeta Systems and Crestwood Communities, have been supporters and major sponsors of Night on the Plaza. In addition to the Night on the Plaza, Crestwood Communities supports the teen book trivia competition ‘Battle of the Books’ and sponsors a team for the Great Trivia Challenge.
Kitty joined the GPL Friends Foundation Board in 2000 and is now an Emeritus member.
Glendora Public Library and the GPL Friends Foundation have benefited from Thom and Sheryl’s leadership, advocacy and their time as volunteers since 1992.
Thom joined the board of the GPL Friends Foundation in 2006. Never one to sit idle, he served as co-Vice President of Fund Development from 2007–2009 and served as President from 2009–2012. He is currently serving on the Board as Secretary.
Thom might be the one attending the meetings, but Sheryl is constantly beside him.
Sheryl has supported Night on the Plaza through hours of pounding the pavement and asking for donations as well as donating their famous “Hill’s Dills” to this successful fundraiser.
Throughout the year, Thom and Sheryl compile and validate questions for the Great Trivia Challenge. Thom ‘Mr. Trivia’ has served as Master of Ceremonies since its inception twenty-one years ago. This annual fundraiser raises money to fund the library’s adult literacy program, Glendora READS!. As Glendora residents, Thom and Sheryl understood the importance of providing this free library service to the Glendora community - teaching adults to read. To date, over 700 adults have benefited and have become productive, confident, contributing residents.
As one of the founding committee members for the ‘Battle of the Books’, Thom continues to be involved after 5 years. Thom and Sheryl’s support has helped a program that encourages and excites teens to read.
The Glendora Public Library is extremely grateful to the Garvey's and the Hill's for their tireless dedication to making Glendora a better community in which to live.