Clay's Doodle on Charity Auction

Doodling for a Cause
By Lynne Voelliger

If you're looking for something fun and different to do Saturday night, plan to spend it at the Bettendorf Public Library. John Travolta will be there. So will Al Pacino and Jay Leno, if only on paper.

Nearly 100 famous actors, authors, athletes, politicians and celebrities have donated their autographs and doodles to help The Library Fund raise money at its 4th Author and Celebrity Doodle Day.

The evening begins at 6 p.m. and will be hosted by Gary Metivier of KWQC-TV6. Guests will have live entertainment, hors d'oeuvres and fun as they consider bidding on the doodles of Clay Aiken, Betty White, Dr. Laura Schlessinger and others.

"I would like to invite everyone to come to this fun and unique event,” said Todd Klein, executive director of the library fund. “There is a doodle for everyone.”
The majority of the framed doodles will be up for bid during the silent auction. The live auction will begin at 8 p.m., when 10 of the more popular bids will go to the highest bidder.

“In the past, winning bids have ranged from $50 to $1,000 each,” Klein said. “We have even had a couple go for almost $3,000.”

Proceeds from Doodle Day will benefit The Library Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides funding for library programs, services and technologies.

“We regularly support the summer reading programs, the Booker Bear Reading Challenge for Bettendorf and Pleasant Valley first-graders and the purchase of new books,” Klein said. “These programs and others enrich the lives of children, families, seniors and new readers in our community.”

The first Doodle Day was held in 1998 and has been held every other year since. About $25,000 was raised at the last Doodle Day, held in 2002. Organizers hope to reach the goal of $27,000 this year through the doodles and donations.

Faye Clowe, director of the Bettendorf Public Library, is thrilled with the event.“Doodle Day has a loyal following. There are 300 to 400 people who usually attend,” Clowe said.

The Library Fund staff works year-round on obtaining doodles for the event. “We draw up a list of doodles we'd like to have and send those people a packet with the request,” Clowe said. “We're so pleased with the positive responses that we get.”

Doodle Day is open to the public and admission is free. Reservations are not required.