Library Meets Initial Campaign Goal Thanks to Donation

The Board of the Effingham Public Library voted unanimously Monday to accept a donation of $400,000 from the COHIHO Foundation to the Library’s Building Fund. The donation brings the foundation’s donations to the Library to $500,000 and closes out the Library’s initial $2 million fundraising campaign towards the costs of renovating the facility into which it moved in September 2015.

The donation is being made in honor of Suzette Brumleve. The library will remain the Effingham Public Library while the building that houses the library at 200 N. Third Street will be named the Suzette Brumleve Memorial Effingham Public Library for a period of 75 years in her honor.

The foundation was set up by Joe and Suzette Brumleve, Effingham natives who died in a plane crash near their Colorado home in 2008. The COHIHO Family Foundation was uniquely named based on the names of the Brumleve’s three daughters, Corrin, Heidi and Holly. The focus of the COHIHO Foundation is based on three principles; Philanthropy, Service and Stewardship.

The Brumleves established the foundation in May 2000 from the proceeds gained through the sale of the successful businesses they established over the years. Businesses such as Brumleve & Dabbs, Professional Software Inc., Focussoft and Eaglesoft were started in Effingham, providing careers and impacting hundreds of families in the community.

The work of the foundation is carried on by their three daughters who saw the donation to the library as a worthy tribute to their mother Suzette who trained as an elementary teacher at the University of Illinois and recognized the work of libraries in supporting literacy in their communities.

The children’s department is named the Suzette Brumleve Children’s Area in recognition of a $100,000 donation made in 2015 by the COHIHO Family Foundation.

The date for the building dedication celebration will be announced once it's finalized.

For more information about opportunities to support the Library’s fundraising efforts, contact Library Director Amanda McKay at 217-342-2464.