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Old Sturbridge Village Gala Exceeds Goal; |
| Nearly 250 attendees raise funds to support OSV interpretive program |
| STURBRIDGE, Mass. (Sept. 25, 2009: For the second year in a row, volunteer organizers of the Old Sturbridge Village Gala have surpassed their goal -- this year again raising $90,000, which will support the Village’s historical interpretation program. After a final tally, event chairperson Elizabeth Peppel of Charlton announced that the total raised was $90,100, which far exceeded the committee’s expectations -- especially given the challenges of today’s economy. The figure represents the net amount raised after expenses were deducted. OSV President and CEO Jim Donahue called the amount raised “extraordinary,” and said organizers are already planning next year’s event.
“This is a stunning achievement, and reflects the superior skill, savvy and dedication of this Gala committee, which is one of the best I’ve seen in all my years in the non-profit world,” Donahue said. “To surpass the fund-raising goal in a down economy is remarkable, and we are fortunate and grateful for the committee’s support.” The formal OSV Gala held on Sept. 12 drew nearly 250 supporters from as far away as California and Washington D.C., and attracted scores of additional donations from Village supporters who could not attend in person. Proceeds from the event will help fund expenses associated with the museum's historical interpretation program, including education, training and costuming. “People care deeply about Old Sturbridge Village, and they want to see it succeed and grow,” Peppel said. “We received tremendous support from friends and businesses in the area.” A significant amount of money was sent in by people who donated despite being unable to attend the Gala. Nearly $7,000 was donated by people who knew they couldn’t come, but wanted to support the gala anyway, organizers said. Because of this, the committee will continue to accept gala donations by phone or mail through the end of September. For information, contact the OSV development department at 508-347-0210 or send a message. The Gala’s theme was “The Magic of Old Sturbridge Village,” and popular magician Bob Olson entertained guests with 19th-century magic tricks and served as the emcee and auctioneer. The top-grossing auction item of the evening was a week’s vacation in St. Thomas donated by Elizabeth and Alan Peppel. Other unique auction items that sparked spirited but friendly competitive bidding included an Old Sturbridge Village Hitchcock-style “Signature Chair,” crafted by Sturbridge artist Tim Bardsley, a landscape package that included horticultural consultation by gardening expert Paul Rogers, a wardrobe and furniture set for American Girl dolls donated by Judith Thornton, of Wilbraham, Mass., and a one-week stay at a restored antique home in Rockport, Maine, donated by Joseph D. Messler Jr. of Rockport. Main corporate sponsors of the Gala include Hometown Bank, Bollus Lynch, Xtra Mart Convenience Stores, Schmidt Equipment, Mohegan Sun, and J. S. Fleming Associates, Inc. Old Sturbridge Village celebrates New England life in the 1830s and is open year round, daily 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. through Oct. 24, when a new winter schedule begins. For details of the new schedule and OSV’s expansion of its Christmas holiday celebrations to The 12 Nights of Christmas, visit www.osv.org or call 1-800-733-1830. # # #
 See captioned images from the event available for publication. |
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