Make sure you check your mailbox. The Sunshine Hall Free Library has sent out its annual fundraising letter. During the pandemic, our Library which was closed for months still managed to come through like a champ for the community and thank the Lord for their new deck!

With their socially distanced umbrella tables and free 24 hour a day Wi-Fi, the place was jumping during the pandemic lockdown. People were there holding socially distanced meetings, using their laptops and tablets to get their work done.

Patty Kennedy the Director and the staff of the Library were still able to order books for patrons, conduct their virtual and very interesting children's summer reading program and all of their considerable online services were up and running without a hitch.

The Library is now open to the public with the number of visitors limited. As usual, the Sunshine Hall Library figured it out and made sure our community had the resources they need to survive during the pandemic restrictions.

Did you know that with a $20.00 yearly donation a non-resident can use all the Library's resources?

Because the Sunshine Library is a member of the Ramapo Catskill Library System, your little library card packs a big punch and gives you access to the resources of forty seven member libraries and you can request any book, newspaper, journal, DVD or magazines, download eBooks, audio books, use subscription research sites (such as Consumer Reports) at no charge and have access to the excellent online language program Rosetta Stone.

Film buffs may want to check Kanopy -a film streaming service which features more than 30,000 films documentaries, classic movies and The Learning Company Video Courses and a film collection just for kids.

Every year the Library's budget depends on donations from the public to fill in the gaps from their State funding and grants.

Since Covid-19 has really depleted the New York State's resources, it is important that everyone gives what they can to support the services and staff of our Library.

You can make a tax-deductible donation online at their website (sunshinehallfreelibrary.org) or send a check to Sunshine Hall Free Library, Post Office Box 157, Eldred, New York 12732

In a previous column I had written about an Election Day Soup Sale to benefit The Fahnestock family whose mother Lois was diagnosed with Myeloid Leukemia this past May. Her medical treatment team recommended a blood cell transplant and the hunt began for a donor.

Her brother was a seven out of ten marker but strangely enough a young man in Germany was a ten out of ten and became her anonymous donor-bless his generous and dear heart! After having the transplant and spending five long months in the hospital, Lois is finally home with her family and friends and on the mend.

There is now a Gift Basket Raffle and 50/50 being planned and through some great Facebook based creativity all social distancing guidelines are being observed to keep everyone safe. The Raffle will consist of thirty themed gift baskets-one of which includes an original painting by Candy Bott, an extremely talented local artist.

After viewing the baskets on Facebook, you can purchase a ticket at The Corner in Eldred next Saturday November 21st starting at 11 a.m. and write the basket's number on the back. Most raffle baskets will be $10.00 for 25 tickets with higher priced baskets $10.00 for 3 tickets. The 50/50 will cost $5.00 for 5 tickets.

To get tickets you can also message Heather Fahnestock on Facebook. On Saturday November 28th, from Noon until 4 p.m. there will be the main event -a drive thru raffle and 50/50 ticket sale starting at noon in Peck's Parking lot on Proctor Road in Eldred. At 4:00pm the tickets will be drawn.

I spoke with Dolores Bassney who told me that the Fahnestock family has really appreciated all the amazing support they have gotten from our community, and it has made it easier for the family to cope with Lois's medical emergency.

If you would like to donate to help Lois and her lovely family get through these very tough times, please make your check payable to Lois Fahnestock and bring it to the Raffle Basket Drive-Thru at Pecks or drop it off anytime at The Corner Ice Cream Shop.

For more information go to www.facebook.com/groups/loisfahnestockbenefit/ or call Dolores Bassney at 845-866-5050.