Round Top Family Library Celebrates 25 Years with Largest Gala Yet

Round Top Family Library (RTFL) marked a monumental milestone this year, celebrating 25 years of service to the community with its most successful gala to date. Held on the evening of Saturday, September 13th, 2025, at the stunning Windy Knoll venue, the event set new records in both attendance and fundraising, making it the largest gala in the library’s history.

The evening was a tribute to the library’s past, present, and future, honoring the visionaries, founders, and dedicated supporters who made RTFL possible. With a recordbreaking 260 guests in attendance, the gala raised an impressive $180,000—almost 15% over the original fundraising goal. These funds will sustain the library’s operations for nearly six months, supporting programs, utilities, staff salaries, and ongoing maintenance of the campus and buildings.

Guests were greeted by a larger-than-life floral “25” installation, symbolizing the library’s quarter-century of service to the community. This year’s event also marked a passing of the torch, as new co-chairs Teresa McKinsey and Kathy Utsey took the reins from longtime gala chairs Suzanne Ellis, Judy Hancock, and Julie Wantland, who have been integral to the success of past galas.

The celebration kicked off with a lively cocktail hour featuring signature drinks like Manhattans and French 77s, an open bar, and a curated selection of hors d’oeuvres from Royer’s Round Top Café. A beautiful musical backdrop by violinists set the tone for the evening as guests mingled and explored the silent auction, which included favorites like the wine and whiskey wall.

Dinner followed, served at elegantly decorated tables adorned with candles and floral centerpieces. Royer’s treated guests to a gourmet menu that included chilled cucumber soup, fresh salad, braised short ribs, and a decadent custard dessert. As the evening progressed, the spirit of generosity was on full display during the live auction and Paddles Up portion, where supporters raised their paddles high to ensure the library’s continued success. The night ended with the raffle drawing for a Kubota 48” zero-turn mower, which went to Tracy Vanderford, owner of Round Top Flower Farm and devoted library supporter.

The funds raised at the gala are critical to RTFL’s operations. As the library’s largest annual fundraiser, this event alone covers nearly half of the annual operating expenses. These funds ensure that the library can continue offering free programs to patrons of all ages, from preschoolers to seniors. In fact, the library’s commitment to education and community engagement remains at the core of everything it does. Last summer alone, over 250 children participated in RTFL’s beloved Summer S.E.E. weekly camps, where they enjoyed hands-on learning experiences.

What makes this success even more extraordinary is that Round Top Family Library is 99% privately funded. With the exception of a small contribution from the Town of Round Top, the library relies on fundraising events like the gala, as well as individual gifts and grants, to cover its operating expenses. In the most recent Annual Thank You Report, RTFL shared that its two fundraisers, the Gala and Chili Cook-Off, account for 60% of its total revenue, with individual donations making up 16%, and grants contributing 14%.

For those curious about where these funds go, RTFL makes its financial breakdown available each year in the Annual Thank You Report. The report also highlights the library’s commitment to transparency and invites the public to review how their donations are being used to sustain and expand RTFL’s wide-ranging programs.

As Round Top Family Library looks to the future, the funds raised through the gala will ensure that the library continues to serve as a vibrant educational, cultural, and community hub for generations to come. Whether through literacy programs, art workshops, author talks, or educational seminars, RTFL remains a cornerstone of lifelong learning.

“We cannot overstate our gratitude for the generosity of our community,” said Pam Langford, member of the Board of Directors and Chair of Fundraising. “RTFL exists because of our donors, volunteers, sponsors, and patrons. We thank you for your continued support as we continue to serve this community, especially our youngest patrons!”

For more info about RTFL’s programs, funding, or how you can contribute, please visit www.ilovetoread.org.