Sponsors
Dear Business Leader,
With great enthusiasm, I am happy to announce Shepherdstown will finally have an annual book festival! To kick things off for the inaugural celebration, the Organizing Committee is coming to business and community leaders such as yourself to ask for your financial support, because we can’t do it alone.
Over the course of two (and possibly three) days, local book lovers and folks from the tri-state area will visit Shepherdstown and hear from award-winning, nationally known authors such as Jeff Zentner, Neema Avashia, M.L. Rio, Crystal Good, Heather Crosby, Forrest Pritchard, and others. Also, we’re holding the festival component in the Community Club, where regional writers, vendors, and literacy focused non-profits will be able to sell their books and book-related items, and speak with attendees about their work. Not only will this be a boon to the writers of the area, but also to the restaurants, shops, hotels, and other businesses in the Eastern Panhandle.
We’ve put together a full range of sponsorship opportunities on the back of this form and invite you to be as generous as possible. Please note, we didn’t have sufficient time to seek tax-exempt status this year, but next year and going forward, we hope to be a tax exempt organization. To sponsor the event, please circle the sponsorship level on the back, fill out the front portion, and return it along with your check made out to “Shepherdstown Book Festival” to 59 Swearingen Way, Shepherdstown, WV 25443.
Best regards,
Leigh Koonce, Founder
Danske Dandridge Memorial Sponsor
$1000
Known for her vibrant poetry and meticulous garden essays, Danske Dandridge was Shepherdstown’s own poet-powerhouse and resided for many years at her beloved estate Rose Brake. Your generous contribution will enable the SBF to bring nationally known authors to Shepherdstown while also supporting our regional writers, area businesses, and the written word. You will be featured in all paid publicity as a sponsor, receive four free tickets to our 9/15 panel discussion and reception, receive an inscribed copy from two of the featured authors of your choice, and be invited for publicity photographs at the 9/16 ribbon cutting. Additionally, a portion of your donation will be used to donate books from our featured authors to local schools.
Dr. Martin Delany Memorial Sponsor
$750
One of the most preeminent residents to ever come from Jefferson County, Dr. Delany was a medical doctor, abolitionist, military officer, journalist, and writer. He was also one of the first proponents of black nationalism. You will be featured in all paid publicity as a sponsor, receive two free tickets to our 9/15 panel discussion and reception, receive an inscribed copy of a book from the featured author of your choice, and be invited for publicity photographs at the 9/16 ribbon cutting. Additionally, a portion of your donation will be used to donate books from our featured authors to local schools.
Mrs. Sara Lueck Memorial Sponsor
$500
A treasure who made Jefferson County her home, Sara was the longtime librarian at Jefferson High School and a supporter extraordinaire for both Jefferson High and Shepherd University. Our community lost a wonderful person with her 2023 passing. You will be featured in all paid advertising as a sponsor, receive two free tickets to our 9/15 panel discussion and reception, and receive an inscribed copy of a book from the featured author of your choice. Additionally, a portion of your donation will be used to donate books from our featured authors to local schools.
Professor Ethan Fischer Memorial Sponsor
$250
A poet, attorney, professor, radio personality, script writer, reporter, there wasn’t much Ethan didn’t do. From teaching at Shepherd University to organizing the Rumsey Radio Hour, he was involved in all things writing and always with a performative air. You will be featured in all our fliers and digitally as a sponsor and receive an inscribed copy of a book of your choice from our featured author.
Miss Elsie Murphy Memorial Sponsor
$100
A noted philanthropist and booster of the Old Charles Town Library, Miss Elsie gave freely of her resources to many, many community organizations around Jefferson County. You will be listed in our brochure as a sponsor, receive an inscribed copy of a book from the author of your choice, and a portion of your donation will be used to donate books from our featured authors to local school libraries.
I <3 Books Sponsor (open to individuals only)
$50 (suggested)
Show your love of books and writing by making a personal contribution to support our book festival. You will be mentioned in our brochure with our thanks.
Shepherdstown Book Festival - Save the Date Sept. 20-22, 2024!
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