A raffle featuring tickets to a Philadelphia Eagle-Pittsburgh Steelers matchup is underway to raise funds for the Shippensburg Public Library Capital Campaign, and library officials hope the heated in-state football rivalry will light a new fire under the library’s push to generate $8 million for expansion.
With three tickets for the Oct. 7 Eagle-Steeler matchup at stake, enthusiastic Shippensburg football fans are likely to cue up for chances to bag the first prize that includes pre-game sideline passes.
The tickets are available at a variety of local businesses, including the library, Goose Brothers Ice Cream, Kathy’s Deli, Knute’s Pub and Grill, East Meets West, H&H Chevrolet and Biscotti’s Restaurant, as well as the Shippensburg University Alumnus office and the Shippensburg Area Chamber of Commerce.
Other prizes in the raffle have strong appeal as well. Two box seat tickets for the university’s Luhrs Center are the second prize. A golf round for four at the picturesque 18-hole golf course at Chambersburg Country Club is the third prize, and a $100 gift certificate at Knute’s is the fourth prize. The raffle runs through the Sept. 5 drawing date. Ticket holders do not have to be present at the drawing.
The library’s capital campaign for an $8.1 million expansion project is nearly two years old and leveled out at the $3.5 million mark – $2 million of that stemming from a state grant arranged by state Sen. Rich Alloway (R-33).
Jo Anne Coy, chairwoman of the library trustees, says she hopes the local football fever fuels a fruitful raffle that puts the capital campaign back in the public consciousness.
Another factor that could help boost the campaign’s rebirth is a directive from Gov. Tom Corbett that Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection accelerates its permit approval process.
The library development plan has been bogged down by the DEP permitting process.
Library directors decided several years ago to remain at its present downtown location because that’s what the public wants. To achieve that goal, property that lies in the flood plain on the opposite side of the Branch Creek must be utilized to offset open space behind the current library that will be the location for the expanded building.
Jumping the permitting hurdle could reenergize the public’s belief in the project.
The $8.1 capital campaign includes $500,000 to launch an endowment, $1 million to cover the purchase of property on the opposite side of Branch Creek and $6.6 million for expansion construction.
PHOTO: Phyllis Nye, in the Philadelphia Eagle jersey, library board member Karen Strine in the Pittsburgh Steeler colors joust good naturedly in front of the Shippensburg Public Library to promote the latest capital campaign event, a raffle that offers three tickets with sideline privileges to the Oct. 7 Steeler-Eagle game. (Photo by Dale Heberlig)