Successful
Actions of Edneyville Grange - NC
Edneyville Grange in North Carolina has taken on a big goal for their small community in the western part of the state. It’s a goal that will be good for Grange, and also for their entire community.
“We have never had a Grange Hall,” says Margaret Davidson, Master. “We’ve always met in the Methodist Church. Now, we’re going to build us a whole community center!”
The idea for a community center rose out of Edneyville Grange’s history of community involvement. “We were instrumental in bringing the Justice Academy here and the library,” says Peggy Laugher. “When we looked around the community, we could see that we needed a place for young people and families to do healthy things.”
Grange researched the need in the community, drew up some plans, and started looking for land.
“One of the first things we had to do was create the Edneyville Community Center Association. We call it ECCA,” says Sam Palazzolo. “We needed to get 501(c)(3) status so we can go for grants, and we needed to recruit more people besides just Grangers.”
“When we started looking for land, it became clear that we should partner with Habitat for Humanity. A lady in our community left them a lot of land, and we started negotiating with them to buy a piece of that property. They agreed to sell us thirteen acres of land for the community center, and they gave us a year to raise $100,000 to finalize the purchase.”
As of July 20, ECCA had raised $75,000.00. They just completed a successful barbeque that raised $10,670.00 as just one of many fundraising projects. “We’ll make our goal,” says Margaret. “I haven’t got a single doubt about that!”
Buying the land, though, is just one step in a long process to create the community center. The total price tag is something like $1 million! Architectural plans include space for indoor basketball courts, locker rooms, multi-purpose rooms with a stage, a Grange Hall, outdoor playing fields, and a walking trail.
“Habitat for Humanity is going to build a lot of houses in that area, and the Community Center will be right there where there are people to use it. We’ve got an agreement with the County Parks and Recreation Department that they’ll manage and supervise the Center once it’s built.”
“Our next step is to start writing grants. We needed to get the land bought and paid for first,” says Margaret. “Then foundations know we’re serious and that we can raise other money. We’ve got a plan that will take nine years to complete the whole Center, but I’m really hoping that we can get it done in two years!”
Meanwhile, Edneyville Grange has other projects as well. They’ve participated in the Words for Thirds Project, as well as being the sponsor for the local Boy Scout troop for the last 57 years. “We have two Junior Granges, Edneyville Junior at the elementary school and Apple Valley Junior at the middle school. They meet right after school so the children are already right there.”
State Grange contests seem to excite and entice Subordinate and Junior members. “A lot of our people – adults and children - enter contests and win many first places every year. That seems to get them hooked!”
“The Grange meets once a month – and then we’re all part of ECCA ( Edneyville Community Center Association) which also meets once a month, so we’re together at least twice every month. We start off each Grange meeting with a pot-luck supper, and I just know we have the very best cooks in all the world! Committee meetings are held as needed to make the work for the community operate smoothly," says Margaret.
Edneyville Grangers are quick to point to Margaret as one of the key reasons that their Grange has been so successful. “Margaret has a way of saying to people, ‘We need you to do this for us,’ and they do,” says Sam. Margaret counters. “Yes, a leader is a must, but it is essential to have followers who help make plans and carry out the plans.” |
