Ossoli Foundation pledges $10,000 to Carnegie Library

The Carnegie Library Corporation of Corbin could be half way to its goal to raise the $41,000 need to purchase the historic building.

At the monthly board meeting last Thursday night, it was announced that the Ossoli Foundation of Corbin has pledged to match up to $10,000 in donations on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

“We hope this will assure you of $20,000 toward your goal,” Ossoli Foundation officials stated in a card presented to the corporation board.

“That’s huge!” said Board Member Maggy Kriebel. “That’s awesome!”

Diane Mitchell, a member of the Ossoli Club, explained that the Ossoli Foundation of Corbin is the club’s non-profit organization. The foundation members include the club’s officers along with four at-large members.

One of its duties is to determine what projects/causes funds the Ossoli Club has raised will be contributed toward.

“Most of that money is made through May Day performances,” Mitchell said.

As part of the process, Mitchell said the recipients must provide a written proposal detailing what the funds will be used for, what the project entails and the budget.

“It is like sending in a grant proposal,” Mitchell said.

Carnegie Corporation Treasurer Anne Hoskins announced that the corporation had received an additional $1,100 in donation toward the project.

Mitchell said there is no time limit on the donations that would be matched by the Ossoli Foundation.

The Carnegie Library building was constructed in 1916.

The building also served as the home of WYGO radio station in the 1970s.

The corporation’s goal is to restore the building so it may serve as a local meeting place, home for historical archives and a location to offer educational and artistic programs.

First Baptist Church currently owns the property on Roy Kidd Ave. and uses the basement to house its food pantry.

“We have a lot of plans,” said Mitchell, who is also a member of the corporation. “It is getting the provisions that we need.”

More information about the organization and how to donate is available online at www.carnegiecenterofcorbin.org.

The organization is a non-profit organization, meaning all donations are tax deductible.

“It is one of the few historic buildings remaining in our city,” organization officials noted in the detailing the project. “As good stewards, we must do all we can to save this historic, local landmark.”