Friends of Onancock School
PO Box 467, 6 College Avenue
Onancock, Virginia  23417
757-302-1331

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Who Are the Friends of Onancock School?

·  Vision: "As the heart of our diverse community, the Historic Onancock School: Community & Cultural Center contributes economically, culturally and educationally to the quality of life on Virginia's Eastern Shore while preserving the community character."

·  Mission: "The Friends of Onancock School is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the economic and cultural vitality of its diverse community through the renewal of the Historic School and campus. An environmentally conscious organization, FOS achieves its goals with the support of an engaged population involving the arts, recreation, business and educational programs."

·  Values: Integrity, heritage, enrichment, diversity, environment

Where We Came From

In September 2006, the Town of Onancock regained control of the historic Onancock School Building and grounds, which had been used and managed by the Accomack County School Board for more than seven decades. In response, Town Council directed Mayor Bruce Paone to appoint a Task Force of volunteers to explore alternative uses for the school building and its grounds, with estimates of the costs of these alternatives.

At the first Task Force meeting it became clear, with no public funding available, that significant funds would be needed to support the process of evaluating and safeguarding the Onancock School property. Because several local people stepped forward with generous contributions of financial and material help, we already have completed preliminary engineering and architectural studies. Generous supporters have also donated a new school sign, freshly painted columns and trim, and an Onancock School web site. Commitments of future support have been obtained from both individuals and organizations.

Why We Are Here

Friends of Onancock School was begun by citizens who believe we need an independent organization to support the Onancock School project in the following ways:

• Protect and preserve the historic Onancock School property, both the building and the grounds, for use as a gathering place for educational, cultural, recreational and other community activities.
• Make sure that the Onancock School property is protected from private development so that future generations may enjoy the property as current and past generations have done, while supporting new community activities in the future.
• Provide financial and grant writing assistance to the Onancock School Task Force.
• Serve as a voice for Onancock School alumni and other admirers of the Onancock School property who may not be Onancock or Eastern Shore residents.
• Assist individuals and groups in defining and describing the activities that might take place on the School property and determining how these activities can be funded.
• Take the lead in fund raising, project design, and coordinating community input.

Where We Are Headed

In December 2006, a group of interested people got together to form Friends of Onancock School, which will be a 501c3 nonprofit organization capable of accepting tax-exempt contributions from individuals and organizational supporters. Here are the current officers.

President – Cindy Serini Downing   E-Mail

Vice President – Donna Fitchett Belote   E-Mail                                

Secretary – Terry Swain

Treasurer – Karen Spawn

comments to - comments@onancockschool.org

Are You with Us?

The only way we will be able to meet the challenge of turning our beloved old Onancock School into an active community center we can be proud of and that our descendents will thank us for is for everyone with an interest to become involved. A small group, no matter how dedicated, cannot make this happen.

If you feel, as we do, that we have been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something truly special for the benefit of everyone on the Eastern Shore, please help us.

Now is the time to get to work before it is too late.

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