DEKKO Foundation Grant Challenge
The DEKKO
Foundation has awarded a $1 million challenge
grant to the Athens-Limestone Public Library
Foundation. The Foundation is challenged to
raise the funds for the renovation of the former
Kroger grocery store as the new Public Library.
This project is a joint effort of the Library
Foundation, Athens City, and Limestone County.
The DEKKO Foundation is donating to the project
by offering a $250,000 matching grant with a
deadline of December 31, 2011. For every dollar
the Library Foundation raises, DEKKO will donate
$1, up to a total of $250,000, according to
Library Director Paula Laurita. If Library
Foundation is successful, DEKKO will offer an
additional incentive to complete their
fundraising goals. “DEKKO has set aside
$750,000, which is payable when we have obtained
the remaining money by December 31, 2012. It’s a
phenomenal opportunity. We take this as a real
vote of confidence by the DEKKO Foundation in
this project.”
The funds will be used to the renovate the
former grocery store into a state of the art
library. “We’re really excited about expanding
our library, its services, and programs. The
library is a center for community and learning,”
Laurita said. “We are really committed to that,”
she said. “This is the boost that will allow us
to complete our campaign and the funding we need
to provide an outstanding public library to our
community, which is what our goal has been from
the beginning.”
The Library Foundation has raised more than $1.3
million from private individuals and businesses.
Included in that figure is $1 million from the
Library Board of Trustees. Athens City and
Limestone County have each pledged over $1
million toward the project.
Athens city resident Opal Casey said she can
think of no better gift to the community than to
contribute toward the matching funds from DEKKO
Foundation. Casey uses the library and is a
staunch advocate for the project.
“Bravo to the DEKKO Foundation for doing this
for one of the premier organizations in this
city and state,” Casey said. “The completion of
this library is going to be, in my estimation, a
beautiful gateway to our community. Once the
citizens realize what they have in this new
library, they are going to be absolutely amazed.
It will attract new residents and new
businesses.”
Anyone wanting to donate to the Library
Foundation challenge effort may send
contributions to the Athens-Limestone Public
Library Foundation, 405 E. South St., Athens,
Alabama, 35611.
Donations can also be made online through the
Library’s website,
www.AthensLimestone.lib.al.us.