The Eastern Shore Public Library Foundation recently received a $20,000 grant from The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation to support the library’s new building in Parksley, Va. The Perdue Foundation grant will help fund, in part, interactive components in a new children’s room.
“At Perdue, we’re committed to enhancing the quality of life in the communities in which we live and work,” said Kevin Dennis, director of Perdue operations in Accomac. “The Eastern Shore Public Library has been an important part of the Accomac community for nearly 60 years, and we’re proud to lend our support through this grant to provide a state-of-the art facility for all Eastern Shore of Virginia residents, including our associates and their families.”
Currently, more than 200 volunteers are helping the ESPL Foundation, the 501(c)3 non-profit, conduct fund raising for the new building. The Perdue Foundation grant is part of the corporate giving in combination with state, local government, and individual support needed for the $5 million project.
“The new regional public library in Parksley will support the entire Eastern Shore of Virginia’s opportunity to create economic growth and expand educational resources,” said Dr. Arthur Fournier, chairman of the Grant and Corporate Giving Committee at a recent capital campaign meeting. “Literacy and workforce development programs are being planned in collaboration with the Eastern Shore Literacy Coalition, Eastern Shore Community College, Healthy Communities Coalition and other area organizations.”
The new 18,000-square-foot library will house computers for online training, job certification and job applications. It will also feature a large group instruction room for training and classes, small group meeting rooms to provide tutoring for English as a second language learners, as well as space for webinars, distance learning resources, and study spaces.
Individuals and businesses continue to support the Eastern Shore Public Library Foundation’s capital campaign with tax-deductible donations. For more information, call the Fundraising Office at (757) 787-2500 or visit online at www.shorelibrary.com. Donations can be mailed to: ESPL Foundation, PO Box 554, Accomac, Va. 23301.
Source: Perdue Farms