Library & Media Dedication Ceremony Scheduled 10-30-05

Garden City, October 16, 2005: St. Michael Catholic School will hold a dedication ceremony for the new Hanley Library and Media Center on Sunday, October 30 at noon. This new Hanley Library and Media Center features a 48 ft mural, reading gazebo, fountain, media work stations and adjacent outdoor garden. The entire project was made possible through the generosity of area businesses, parishioners, parents and volunteers.

Library Expansion Coordinator/Parent, Maura Lefemine Utley, spearheaded the project. She designed the space and painted the 48 ft mural. To date, this volunteer collected an estimated $30,000 for this project including goods and services from area businesses. Fellow first grade moms Mary Churchill and Nancy Ciancione, created an outdoor garden adjacent to Hanley Library to complement the park setting of the library.

“Since a project of this magnitude was not in the school’s budget, I began soliciting area businesses, parishioners, and parents for donations.” said Ms. Utley. “I was truly amazed by the support we received. The old library was less than 500 square feet, this new space is about three times the size and the children and administrators seem very happy with their new digs. Parishioners, parents and businesses really made this project possible. Builders First Source was extremely generous and helpful. Their generosity was matched by Flagship Builders of Myrtle Beach. Water Garden Creations from Murrells Inlet donated a beautiful fountain that the students absolutely love. Sherwin-Williams in Murrells Inlet provided the paint, Coastal Piano donated a piano and Architectural Surfaces supplied supplies for the flooring that was donated by our PTO so this was a total team approach.”

Sr. Roberta Thoen, principal of St. Michael Catholic School says:

“We knew it was going to be great, but this is better than we imagined. The children cannot wait to go the library! Creating an environment in which children find reading enjoyable at an early age provides a foundation for future success through a genuine love for reading and a life-long quest for knowledge. We are grateful for the parent involvement we have at our school. Thanks to Ms. Utley and our other volunteers, we are off to a great start this academic year and the entire staff is equally as energized.”

The dedication ceremony will be held in the new Hanley Library and Media Center. The mural includes a donor tree saluting the families, individuals and businesses contributing $250 or more. Donations are still being accepted. The ceremony will be open to the public and refreshments from Carrabbas will be served.

St. Michael Catholic School — welcoming all faiths — is a K – 8 private school founded in1999. The school currently educates approximately two hundred children from Horry and Georgetown counties. The adjacent parish serves approximately 2,100 families and continues to grow.