BY HILLARY VIDERS
SPECIAL TO NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—On March 14, the Friends of the Englewood Public Library hosted “Operation Ice Rink,” a skating party with free books for children age 2 and older, at the Mackay Ice Rink at the John T. Wright Arena.
Dozens of youngsters and their parents gathered at the popular Englewood facility for an evening of fun and fundraising.
As people entered the arena at 6 p.m. for a two-hour party, they were welcomed by Ella Urdang, president of the Friends, and Deiadre Helm, the Friends director who organized and chaired the event. The entry fee included skate rental.
“This is such a great event,” said Helm. “It’s the first time that we’ve had a skating party fundraiser, and everyone is having so much fun! It’s great for the rink and for the community. Best of all, every dollar that we raise tonight goes right to the library.”
Urdang was also very enthused about Operation Ice Rink.
“This an event that brings in people who don’t come to everything that the library offers. We have a great younger generation here tonight,” Urdang said.
Before donning their skates, families approached a table with boxes of books where they were greeted by Englewood Library Director John Arthur, Helm and Jonathan Nacht. Each child was invited to choose a free book from the large assortment that had been brought over from the library. There were books appropriate for all age groups, with topics such as baseball, dinosaurs, adorable pets and the solar system.
Refreshments were sold at the arena’s snack bar, where the giant chocolate chip cookies were a hit with young and old.
As the skating got underway, the rink was filled with novice as well as experienced skaters. Even brand new skaters who at first reluctantly ventured onto the ice holding on to the railing and safety cones, wound up gleefully twirling around the rink, thanks to the hands on assistance given by the rink’s skating guards.
One for the books!
The Friends of the Englewood Library, organized in 1958, is a nonprofit organization comprised of volunteers who are dedicated to supporting and enriching the Englewood Public Library.
Friends membership dollars provide a vital stream of revenue that assists the library’s annual budget in many ways: presenting special programs, speakers, concerts, and other events; updating the library’s collection of reference works, print and audio-visual material, as well as Spanish and Korean collections; enhancing materials and programming for children; enriching ESL programming, facilitating renovations to the building and its computers, and furniture.
Money from the Friends also provides services for job seekers by offering instruction in resume writing, interviewing and social networking.
Funding for these projects is possible because of events hosted by the Friends such as the Mackay Ice Arena skating party and its very successful book sales held twice a year. The book sale in October 2018 grossed $12,718.
Arthur is delighted with the Friend’s support.
“The Englewood Public Library had more than 10,000 visits for programming and special events for all ages in 2018. Many of those programs were supported through funds raised by the Friends of the Englewood Library, which allows the library to, for example, buy supplies for art projects for children, hire performers and speakers, and so much more,” Arthur said. “The work that the Friends do benefits residents of Englewood in ways that are immeasurable—making Englewood and the Englewood Library a better place for all members of the community.”
