Submitted by Scott Brinckerhoff.
(April 9, 2022) — Brainerd Library’s spring “BreakOut” fundraising event received a generous and unexpected $1,000 donation from four former Haddam residents who remember the town fondly and the impact it had on their family.
“Talk about serendipity,” said Donna Brinckerhoff, a library board member who is helping to organize the May 15 afternoon event. “We were doing okay with donations from our local supporters, but something like this out-of-the-blue gift from Mr. Wiley and his three siblings goes beyond wonderful.”
Bill Wiley was a youngster when he moved to Ponsett Road with his family in 1952. His Dad, Bill Sr., served as First Selectman from 1964 to 1969.
“The town and many local teachers helped shape our lives. We still keep an eye on what’s happening in Haddam, so when we saw that the library was doing a fundraiser in their newsletter, my sisters, brother and I knew we wanted to be part of it,” Bill said.
“We still remember swimming in the reservoir, boating on the river, parades and Saturday trips with Mom, Betty, to Brainerd with its smell of books, that heavy front door and the spiral stairs.”
The four siblings have since moved from Haddam to Wethersfield, North Carolina, Arizona and New Mexico, but clearly, pieces of their hearts remain in their old hometown.
Tickets for the event are available at the library or via PayPal at www.brainerdlibrary.org.
Photo courtesy of the Wiley family.
