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Special to The Advocate
Thanks to generous support from Malden-area businesses, organizers say the annual Friends of the Malden Public Library Wine Tasting Gala was a huge success. Approximately 50 local vendors contributed food, wine, flowers, and silent auction items for the Library’s signature fundraising event. An enthusiastic crowd of 140 people were on hand at the Converse Memorial Building on May 15 to sample wines from around the world. Event sponsor Kappy’s Fine Wines & Spirits donated the wine and, for the second year in a row, offered craft mocktails for those who wanted to participate without drinking alcohol. Kappy’s also donated 10% of the proceeds from all wine purchased at the event to the MPL.
Local restaurants, including Bikeeny Caffe, Hoff’s Bakery, All Seasons Table, Dom’s Sausage Co Inc., and Bob’s Italian Foods, generously donated the upscale refreshments, including sushi, meatballs, and other delicacies, as well as a lavish dessert bar. Guests excitedly bid on silent auction items, like the popular “7 Nights of Dining” and “Cozy Nights In” baskets, which also raised money for the Library. Attendees toured the Library’s Olmsted Garden and art galleries, which served as an elegant setting for the event. This year’s gala theme was Spring Blooms, and Kira’s Wildflowers and Martin’s Florist and Greenhouse provided beautiful floral arrangements for the event. Guests were encouraged to dress in their best floral attire.
“I was delighted to see guests enjoy themselves while admiring the exquisite art galleries. It was a beautiful night to catch up with old friends and make new connections. I am so proud of our team of volunteers who started planning for this night back in February, and we loved how it turned out,” said Friends of the MPL President, Huy Nguyen.
The Friends of the MPL is a nonprofit, volunteer, fundraising organization that holds events throughout the year to benefit the MPL. The Wine Tasting Gala is their biggest annual fundraiser, and all proceeds from this event go towards Library programs, materials, equipment and services.
