ORONO — The Orono Public Library Foundation announced that 100 people contributed to Chapter Two: The Campaign for the Orono Village Green thanks to a 456-hour online campaign and a year-end direct appeal to bring the new total raised to $270,201.
The 2014 year-end effort raised more than $44,000 for the campaign.
“Last month the Foundation invited donors to support the Orono Village Green campaign by giving online to our CrowdRise fundraiser. We also mailed more than 1,100 cards inviting donors to contribute to the $370,000 capital campaign,” explained Sarah Kenney, foundation board president and campaign co-chair.
The Orono Village Green campaign is only $99,799 away from achieving the fundraising goal.
“These new contributions bring us closer to completing the Orono Village Green campaign in 2015, and we’re very grateful to all who have donated,” Kenney said.
The Bangor Daily News supported the Orono Village Green by promoting the online campaign with a series of digital and print ads.
The foundation board of directors crafted a plan for a privately funded landscape design for the grounds directly behind the library to benefit people of all ages and abilities. When complete, the project will transform the area into the Orono Village Green — a gift from the Orono Public Library Foundation to the town of Orono.
Funds for the Orono Village Green campaign are being raised privately and will be gifted to the town of Orono. The library and grounds are property of the town, and all aspects of the construction project will be managed by town staff.
The campaign goal also includes $25,000 to establish a restricted fund to support the annual maintenance by the town. The Orono Village Green will feature:
- A 125-seat amphitheater with large flat stone stage.
- ADA accessible ramp, lawn and granite seating.
- Hundreds of ornamental trees, flowers and plantings.
- Stone plaza with tables, chairs and sun shade.
- Overlook area.
- Pergola.
- Bench seating areas.
- Pathways circling the grounds leading to the village.
The Orono Public Library Foundation was founded in 2002 and successfully led the $2.1 million capital campaign to fund the new library, which opened on Pine Street in 2009.
For information about the foundation or to contribute to the Orono Village Green campaign go to oronolibraryfoundation.org, find it on Facebook at Orono Public Library Foundation, call 991-3734 or write to: P.O. Box 308, Orono, ME 04473.