Harrison Public Library Foundation Announces Morgan Stanley Pledge to Contribute $50,000 to Downtown Harrison Public Library Renovations

Posted by Patch User Nancy Rieger


The Harrison Public Library Foundation announced today that Morgan Stanley, a leading global financial services firm with a significant presence in Purchase, has pledged a $50,000 grant to help renovate the Downtown Harrison Public Library. The grant will be contributed prior to year end 2014. 

 

"Morgan Stanley is proud to be part of the Purchase and Harrison communities,” and we are very excited to support the renovation of the Downtown Harrison Public Library," said Joan Steinberg, Managing Director at Morgan Stanley and President of the Morgan Stanley Foundation. "Morgan Stanley is dedicated to giving back to where we work and live, and the Downtown Harrison Public Library is a tremendous community resource that can help give local children a head start for lifelong achievement."

 

The Harrison Public Library has been an educational, recreational, cultural and social hub in the town for more than 100 years, but is in dire need of renovation. With the help of funding from corporate and individual contributions, the Harrison Public Library Foundation plans to upgrade the building's infrastructure, improve technology and update and expand square footage to better accommodate and support the growth of the town's population. 

 

"As an employee of Morgan Stanley, I am especially proud of our firm's contribution towards the renovation and improvement of this important community resource," said Shelley Bergman, a Managing Director, Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley, a member of the Harrison Public Library Foundation Advisory Board and a resident of Harrison.

 

The planned renovations will allow the Downtown Harrison Library to host more educational classes, employment seminars and other community-focused programs. Expanded and updated areas will provide comfortable space to read, work and socialize. New technology will include 41 computer stations and a community room with state-of-the-art TV studio equipment, a small stage and a surround-sound speaker system that can be used to host musical performances, lectures, art exhibits and film screenings. 

 

"I want to thank Morgan Stanley for the incredible generosity and passion for improving its local community," said Ross Halperin, Executive Director of the Harrison Public Library Foundation. "We have already raised $150,000 through our Corporate Challenge Initiative and expect to continue the momentum as other local companies follow suit over the coming months. This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform Harrison in an incredibly positive way."

 

In addition to the corporate contributions from Morgan Stanley, The Harrison Library Foundation has secured contributions from the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Fund ($1.2M), The Town of Harrison ($1.1M), Jarden ($100k), donors to Harrison Public Library Foundation (approximately $100k), and a NY State Construction Grant ($73k). An additional $1 million is needed to complete the project. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2014, requiring fundraising completion by October 2013.

 

For more information on the Harrison Library Foundation and how to make a contribution, please visit: http://www.hplf.org/

 

 

About Harrison Library Foundation

The Harrison Public Library Foundation ("HPLF") is a nonprofit organization created to support the Harrison Public Library's facilities and programming. HPLF's first campaign, launched October 2, 2011, aims to raise funds to renovate the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Library Building at 2 Bruce Avenue. The Foundation's mission is to improve and enhance the Harrison Public Library's facilities, to support its programs and capabilities, and to ensure that it will remain the heart of the community for present and future generations of Harrison residents. For more information, visit http://www.hplf.org/