Posted Thursday, July 13, 2006
Old Island Restoration Assists Habitat Project in Bahama Village
Old Island Restoration Foundation presents a grant in the amount of $7,500 to Habitat for Humanity of Key West & Lower Florida Keys for a new roof on an Amelia Street home..
On a recent, beautiful Saturday morning in Key West the Old Island Restoration Foundation presented a check in the amount of $7,500, the total amount requested, to Habitat for Humanity of Key West & Lower Florida Keys for a new roof on an Amelia Street home. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Membership and the entire Old Island family, we are very pleased to present this check to Habitat for Humanity for this very meaningful project and all of their good work for the people of the Lower Florida Keys and Key West”, stated John C. Giuliano, Foundation Executive Director, as he handed the check to Habitat’s Executive Director, Bob Calhoun.
Mr. Calhoun accepted the grant award, thanking Old Island Restoration for support of this historic Bahama Village home and its caring owner, Camelia Suarez. The house is reflective of the three bay Conch Sawtooth houses built around 1910 to 1920. When considering grant applications, in addition to historic significance, Old Island grant awards are based on need for funding, the project’s probability of success and the benefits to the community, and the applicant’s illustration of cost-sharing partners.
In addition to support from Habitat for Humanity and Old Island Restoration Foundation, the generous partners on the Amelia Street project included Gary the Carpenter, and volunteer labor from the homeowner and her family, friends and neighbors.
Old Island raises funds from the Annual Key West House & Garden Tours; its membership program; and donations from individuals, corporations, and governments. “Old Island Restoration, formed in 1960, is itself a small nonprofit organization that raises and distributes funds annually”, continued Giuliano. “As of yet, there isn’t an endowment fund normally associated with foundations. Therefore, the support we receive from our members and friends, House Tour attendees and volunteers, and the grant funds from the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, to publicize the Tours, are of vital importance to our mission to preserve the architecture and cultural heritage of Key West”.
The funds raised each year are then used to make historic preservation grants in Key West such as this project on Amelia Street. The Foundation has supported past Habitat for Humanity projects and the additional 2006 awards include: $10,000 for an additional Habitat project, the front porch restoration of a Thomas Street home; a $10,000 grant for the Bethel AME Church Twin Bell Towers Restoration Project; and a $10,000 grant for the restoration of the Old Fire House Museum’s Horse Feed Shed & Trough. Additional funding is applied to awarding scholarships and providing cultural programming while managing the Foundation Collection and its two museums located in historic sites.
Information about applying for a historic preservation grant from the Foundation will be released this summer and 2007 grant awards will be formally announced at the Old Island Restoration Foundation Annual Meeting and Membership Appreciation Celebration on April 11, 2007.
For more information about Old Island Restoration, visit www.OIRF.org or call 305-294-9501.
