TENNERTON – Because of the pandemic and the inability to gather in large groups, lots of nonprofit organizations were forced to cancel their fundraising activities.

Fortunately, the Friends of the Upshur County Library have put together a socially-distanced project to help raise much needed funds: the Upshur County Treasure Basket Raffle.

Nancy Burgess, president of the Friends of the Upshur County Library, said the two baskets are stuffed with wonderful items donated by individuals, groups and businesses throughout the county. Burgess said funds raised by the Upshur County Treasure Basket Raffle will be used specifically to supplement the library and enable them to purchase new, best-selling books.

“Every year, the Friends have had fundraisers and have been able to give $2,400 just for the patrons’ request of new books,” Burgess said. “We do an ongoing used book sale, but because of COVID, foot travel through the library has been limited.”

Burgess said the items in the Upshur County Treasure Basket Raffle are truly top-quality prizes.

The lucky winner in the raffle will receive a strawberry quilt pieced by E. Neff and quilted by Jill Bentley which was donated by Emily Neff; a handcrafted suncatcher donated by LeeAnn Brown; homemade soaps donated by Patty Matthews and Simple Minded Company; a Blenko Water Pitcher donated by Fish Hawk Acres; an Upshur County Monopoly Game donated by Barbara Godwin; a $150 photography session donated by Renee Preston Photography; a thermos cup and $25 gift card donated by Stone Tower Brews; a Charley Harper Puzzle donated by Artistry on Main Street; a homemade children’s lap pillow and two books donated by Ann Slaughter and Norma Haymond; and a $50 gift card donated by A.F. Wendling’s.

Other items inside the two baskets?

A $50 gift card donated by The World’s End Restaurant; bath bombs and a scarf donated by Lisa Hulver, owner of Tateep Unique Boutique; $25 gift card donated by Dough Re Mi; a Van Nostrand pottery urn with lid donated by Margaret Balcer and Becky Cook; a $25 gift card donated by CJ Maggie’s; an 8-by-10 print, six frameable notecards and an Upshur County Civil War Diary donated by Noel Tenney; a large hooded sweatshirt and baseball cap donated by West Virginia Wesleyan College; a framed picture of the Upshur County Courthouse donated by Buckhannon mayor Robbie Skinner; a whimsical cow original on canvas donated by Brandi Losh of Art by Blush; a $20 gift card donated by Ruby’s Corner; and a handblown glass ornament donated by Ron Hinkle of Hinkle’s Glass.

Tickets for the raffle cost $20 for five or they may be purchased separately for $5 each. Raffle tickets are available at the Upshur County Library, located at 1150 Route 20 South in Tennerton, or from any member of the Friends of the Upshur County Public Library. Tickets may also be purchased at Dough Re Mi, located at the corner of College Avenue and Florida Street, or by contacting Alisa Lively, dean of students at West Virginia Wesleyan College.

A winner will be drawn on Sept. 30.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Friends of the Upshur County Library is encouraged to stop by the library and complete a form; the cost of membership is a donation of at least $5. Meetings are held monthly on the first Wednesday of the month at the library from 3:45 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“If people do not want to attend meetings but still want to support the library through their membership, we encourage them to complete the form, pay their dues and write ‘supporting member only’ on the top of their card,” Burgess said. “Anyone who wants to become a member and attend our meetings is welcome and encouraged to do so.”