Family Legacy Inspires Local Giving to North Conway Public Library

Family Legacy Inspires Local Giving

North Conway Village, NH: The recent groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion and renovation of the iconic North Conway Public Library ignited a new level of excitement within the local non-profit community when a last-minute round of onsite fundraising brought in more than $10,000 in less than 4 minutes. That number continued to grow to more than $100,000 due to the generosity of the Osgood family of Kearsarge, NH.

Neill Osgood, current library board president and son of Charles and Patricia Osgood mentioned earlier in the ceremony that his family’s long history with the library, and passion for reading, motivated him to offer, in the memory of his parents, a 2 to 1 match of donations made that day, up to $10,000. Kate Lamneck, chair of the capital campaign committee thanked the major donors and handed the mic to long-time library volunteer Stacy Sand, a former Conway Selectman, who spoke to the audience about the need for additional funds to complete the project. Ms. Sand’s ease with the audience quickly brought donations from the crowd past the $10,000 mark but Mr. Osgood insisted she continue her convincing requests which brought in more than $30,000 in the remaining 10 minutes of the ceremony. More funds were donated that week which Neill generously offered to match, one to one. All told, now more than $100,000 was raised for the $3.8 million dollar project.

Construction is scheduled for completion in the Fall of 2020. Once completed the library will named in honor of primary donor Lyman Pope. Mr. Pope is contributing $3 million dollars to the project and the library is responsible for raising approximately $800,000 to complete the project The 6,500 square foot expansion will double the size of the library and allow for upgrades for ADA compliances, a new community meeting room, improved technology, and larger children and teens areas.

“Neill’s father served for 24 years on the library board of directors, as president of the board and as longtime chair of the board of donated funds. He generously donated to the library’s fundraising efforts during the 1987-88 renovation”, Lamneck said. “The Osgood family already donated to this current campaign and adding the match money opportunity at the groundbreaking was above and beyond the call of duty. Their dedication to Mt. Washington Valley and the library will benefit our community for generations to come.”

Osgood added, “It’s thanks to all of our donors who are making a huge difference for the Valley. We’d like to thank the Pequawket Foundation, Connie Davis Watson Foundation, Goldberg Foundation, New Hampshire Electric Cooperative, the Gleason family, many generous large donors as well as many of our loyal patrons who donated from $20 to $40,000. However, we still need to raise another $390,000 to complete the project and are gratefully accepting donations, large and small.”

Approximately 70 people attended the groundbreaking including, Senator Shaheen representative Chuck Henderson, Michael York, N.H. State Librarian, Michael J. Cryans, Executive Councilor, District 1, Danielle Nutting, Principal of John Fuller Elementary, Jackson Public Library director, Lichen Rancourt, Conway Public Library director, David Smolen, NH State Rep.’s Steve Woodcock of Conway and Ed Butler of Hart’s Location. Congressman Chris Pappas and State Rep. Harrison Kanzler sent strong letters of support which were read to the audience.

The North Conway Public Library is a privately funded, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization that receives no funds from the Town of Conway, the State of New Hampshire, or the federal government. The library is open for use during construction.

For more information on the library’s renovation project visit NorthConwayLibrary.com or call the library at 603-356-2961”.

Photo: Former North Conway Library Board President Charles E. Osgood Sr. (center) with his son A. Neill Osgood II (left) and his brother A. Neill Osgood Jr. (right)

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