The Nov. 26 “Lighting of the Library” raised about $3,300 for the Friends of the Library.
More than 150 people attended the annual event at the Haines Borough Public Library, said Sara Chapell, Friends of the Library president. “Attendance was definitely up over last year,” she said.
This year’s theme was “Home for the Holidays.”
Volunteers contributed handmade ornaments, quilts were on display and Holly Davis led children’s activities.
After Chapell announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, the 2010 ‘Lighting of the Library,’” holiday lights brightened the building, from the front door to a 20-foot spruce tree donated by Jim and Rebecca Heaton.
Mayor Jan Hill lit the tree’s star.
Guests later sang “Winter Wonderland” and bid in a silent auction for decorated, miniature Christmas trees.
Seth Waldo, 10, won $20 at Howsers for Black Friday and used the money to make a second tree for the auction. He also donated some of the prize to the Salvation Army.
Seth’s 7-year-old sister, Claire Waldo, had prepared a button tree that afternoon.
“I wanted to make another tree, and Claire made one and I had enough time,” Seth said.
He had planned his first tree, “American Ride,” since last year, and it featured more than a dozen toy cars.
Seth’s candy tree with flashing lights included Ferrero Rocher chocolates.
Claire said she wanted her button tree “to inspire Daisy Girl Scouts, since I was in it last year. I got all the badges.”
Their grandmother, Carol Waldo, donated money to help start the library’s summer reading program. She said the two children are frequent library visitors and saved their allowance to bid on other trees.
“This is our town and our library,” Carol said. “We fought really hard to get this library.”
Seth, who reads “big books,” said his favorite is “Pinheads and Patriots” by Bill O’Reilly.