Friends of Mt. Zion Institute
Friends of Mt. Zion Institute
c/o Fairfield County Museum
P. O. Box 6
Winnsboro, SC 29180
ph: 803-635-9811
fomzi
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
December 21, 2011
IMPORTANT UPDATE!
FOMZI received word today that RedClay developer James Maynard and Dru Blair, of Blair Art School, appeared before Town Council at their regular meeting last night (12/20/11).
Instead of the default we feared, Maynard and Blair offered a definite proposal to move forward with relocating the art school to Mt. Zion, contingent on the Town and the County participating in the redevelopment and allowing enough time to put the plan together. Town Council agreed, and agreed to help bring County on board.
This is a major turning point and FOMZI is delighted, to say the least! We’ve long supported continued educational and cultural use for the campus and Blair’s well-regarded school has been at the top of our list. The potential to enhance further economic development is so promising and, as shown in a recent Herald Independent article and photo of a Japanese contingent traveling to see it, the school attracts students and visitors from all over the world.
Our pledge campaign will continue, with the hope that our participation in the joint effort is expected and welcome … and, yes, in case something changes with the current picture. Right now, though, we regard the events of last night and the evident spirit of cooperation as VERY positive, and we offer congratulations and hurrahs to all concerned.
FOMZI
See Herald Independent news coverage of Town Council's meeting by clicking this NEWS LINK
Also WIS-TV video news follow-upfeature on the announcement: 12/26 TV NEWS
FRIENDS OF MT. ZION INSTITUTE
CAPITAL PLEDGE CAMPAIGN 2011
On Wednesday, November 9, 2011, Friends of Mt. Zion Institute announced the kick-off of a Capital Campaign Pledge Drive. The event was held at noon on the Mt. Zion Campus, with the trimmed and adorned entry steps of the main classroom building as the backdrop. Supporter Bil Haslett welcomed the generous turnout and thanked those who'd assisted with the preparations. FOMZI Chairman Vicki Dodds then recognized two graduates, J. M. Lyles, Sr. and Frances Davis Haslett, from the MZI Class of '36, the last class to graduate before the current buldings were completed.
In announcing the Pledge Campaign, Dodds described the current status and FOMZI's decision to intercede and try to move the stalled effort forward. The campaign drive is designed to raise enough pledged funds to approach the Town Council with an offer to take the buildings and quickly begin a 5-year phased renovation. Economic conditions have made it difficult for the private developer to sign user or tenant commitments that are needed to obtain typical financing. The group believes that a philanthropic effort can better address the financial needs of stabilizing the five buildings while continuing to work with already interested parties or potential new ones.
The group’s focus is on using the buildings and the history of Mt. Zion to leverage a unique story into an economic advantage for its town and county. More involvement from those governments was called for; and Dodds noted that the plan isn't an overly-ambitious one for even these times, saying that it provides an opportunity to do it the way that most often leads to success - a team effort combining local government, enthusiastic citizens, and a group willing to work hard to see a dream realized.
The pledge campaign will run for the months of November and December and utilize pledge letters mailed or distributed to over 1200 residents and former residents, approaches to corporations operating in the county and the Midlands, as well as a promotional video, speakers and fund-raising events.
South Carolina Senator Creighton B. Coleman, a native and resident of Winnsboro, took the podium to thank FOMZI and the Winnsboro Town Council for their efforts to preserve this part of the town's history and return it to productive use.
Photos from Capital Pledge Campaign Kick-off Event ...
... for more, be sure to go to our photo pages!
Media Coverage
The event was covered by WLTX-TV in Columbia and their aired report can be seen at: (click on the link)
http://www.wltx.com/video/1267112474001/1/Campaign-Kicks-Off-to-Save-School
Coverage by The Herald Independent of Winnsboro:
WIS-TV followed up on November 19th with a nice piece on our efforts:
Thanks!
11/11/11
Sincere thanks to RedClay, LLC for their permission and to our citizen volunteers Cathcarts, Parker, Gutschlag & Haslett for their grounds work on the building and to the anonymous good souls who carted off the refuse!
Also, our appreciation goes out to Frances Haslett and to Christina Lee at Petal Pushers flower shop in Winnsboro for the potted plants and mums that brightened the scene.
Friends of Mt. Zion Institute
c/o Fairfield County Museum
P. O. Box 6
Winnsboro, SC 29180
ph: 803-635-9811
fomzi
