To The Editor:
Dillon Historic School Foundation is currently facing a major dilemma.
The property insurance policy that DHSF purchased through BB&T will be cancelled if repairs have not been made to the auditorium’s roof before August 17. The building’s roof has damaging leaks over the stairwells in the front entry area, one over the auditorium seating area, and one above the stage.
DHSF has consulted with a professional roofing contractor, Chris Barfield, who calculated the cost for repairs at $26,425.00. At a called meeting on July 19, DHSF discussed Barfield’s proposal and unanimously voted to accept it. Yesterday, July 20, two DHSF representatives, Lloyd Brown and I, met with Mr. Barfield to ask him pertinent questions and close the deal.
Also yesterday, Terry Morris, DHSF Vice-Chairman, met with two representatives of Anderson Brothers Bank to discuss making application for a loan to finance this roof repair project. Morris learned that, in order to qualify for such a loan, DHSF would have to show income derived from grants, donations, programming, or fund-raising projects.
DHSF has gratefully received donations from some individuals and local councils and has collected annual dues from all seventy members. However, major donations from local businesses and industries or grants from major foundations have not been forthcoming. DHSF is presently planning fund-raising events, but such events cannot occur before the deadline for completing repairs as required by the insurance company, Burns-Wilcox.
As Chairman, I am totally committed to support DHSF by making contributions to repair the old auditorium’s roof, thereby helping forestall the cancellation of the property insurance and preserving the site. I shall donate $500.00 and match this amount at a later date.
I ask that you seriously consider making a tax-deductible contribution to help DHSF finance this project. The deadline quickly approaches. Please mark your contribution “Roof Repair Fund.”
Most respectfully,
Gerald M. Berry, DHSF Chairman
P. O. Box 173
Dillon, S. C. 29536