Veronique and Gregory Peck

The Gregory Peck Literary Endowment was created in 1999 to build the resources necessary to maintain quality literary, educational, and cultural programs in the Los Angeles Public Library's Central Library and 71 community branches. The fund was named in honor of Mr. Peck to thank him for his tireless work on behalf of the Library and to recognize his unwavering commitment to preserving the tradition of oral reading of fine literature.

The Endowment commemorates a relationship that began in April of 1994 when Mr. Peck participated in a National Library Week program at the West Los Angeles Regional Branch Library. When asked to read at the Central Library for the Library Foundation's first Major Donor Dinner, he discovered the intimacy and excellent acoustics of the Mark Taper Auditorium.

Mr. Peck enjoyed the experience so much, he asked if he could bring his "friends" down to the Library to read. And, thus, on that wonderful summer evening in August of 1994, the Gregory Peck Reading Series was born. Since then, more than 60 distinguished actors have come to the Library to read aloud from great poetry, fiction, prose and plays -- all to benefit the Los Angeles Public Library.

Mr. Peck's association was not limited to the reading series. He was the first recipient of the Library Foundation's Light of Learning Award in 1996. He and his wife Veronique served as Honorary Hosts of the biennial Literary Odyssey Dinners beginning in 1997; Mrs. Peck still serves in that capacity. Mr. Peck came out in support of the 1998 Library Bond, which passed with resounding success, and he served for eight years as an Honorary Director of the Foundation.

We are saddened by his loss on June 12, 2003, but his legacy lives on through the Endowment and through the efforts of his wife, Veronique, and his children, all of whom are committed to ensuring the future of his beloved reading series.

Gifts to the Gregory Peck Literary Endowment Fund

Veronique with her son Anthony Peck at the Gregory Peck Donor Walk

Gifts of any size are greatly appreciated and will be used to provide long-term funding for the kind of literary, cultural, and educational programs Mr. Peck and his family value so highly.
 
Donors who give $10,000 or more to the Gregory Peck Literary Endowment Fund receive permanent recognition on floor tiles inscribed with their names in the Gregory Peck Donor Walk at the entrance to the Mark Taper Auditorium in the downtown Central Library. Contributions may be paid over five years ($2,000 minimum payment annually). Company matching gifts can be used toward the tile naming.

 
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How to Make a Donation to the Endowment:
 
ONLINE through the Library Foundation Store
 
BY FAX by filling out and sending the downloadable pdf* form to: 213-228-7509
 
BY MAIL by filling out and mailing the downloadable pdf* form to: Library Foundation of Los Angeles 630 West Fifth St., Los Angeles, CA 90071
 
TO NAME A TILE, please use the Tile Campaign form (pdf*) and mail the form and donation to: Library Foundation of Los Angeles, 630 West Fifth St., Los Angeles, CA 90071
 
For more information, contact Jannah Dacanay Maresh, Director, Major and Annual Giving, 213/228-7505
 
*In order to view and download pdf files, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your browser.