Since 2005 the Friends of YALSA (FOY) donors have given more than $25,000 to support YALSA initiatives and services that help the profession and teens. They have sponsored Spectrum Scholars and Emerging Leaders, created advocacy materials for members to use, and sent five YALSA members to ALA’s Library Advocacy Day.
As those YALSA members who attended Annual know, YALSA’s Financial Advancement Committee initiated a major campaign to encourage more people to join Friends of YALSA, called Give $10 in ’10. Financial Advancement Committee members were easily spotted wearing their 2010 sparkly glasses as they passed out information about becoming a FOY in addition to accepting donations. Thanks to the response of attendees, many of whom donated more than $10, more than$1,700 was collected. All money raised by Friends of YALSA in 2010 is being used for YALSA’s advocacy efforts.