The Chapman Foundation donated $200,000 to the Oneida Public Library Capital Campaign Aug. 5 when (left to right) foundation board members Dr. Stephen Schneeweiss, John E. Haskell, secretary Peter M. Dunn and president Robert H. Fearon handed a ceremonial check to the OPL Board President Eileen Kinsella and OPL Director Carolyn Gerakopoulos.
(Oneida, NY- Sept. 2013) In a formal award ceremony Aug. 5, the Howard and Bess Chapman Charitable Corporation pledged to the Oneida Public Library Capital Campaign $200,000 for the construction of a new library facility on the site of the old Oneida High School between Main and Elizabeth streets.
The charitable foundation will be giving its name to the new OPL facility’s Activities Room, which will include space for pre-school storytelling, crafts and a Maker Station for all ages.
Present at the passing of the ceremonial check were foundation members Dr. Stephen Schneeweiss, John E. Haskell, secretary Peter M. Dunn and president Robert H. Fearon, along with Oneida Public Library Board President Eileen Kinsella and OPL Director Carolyn Gerakopoulos.
The foundation, incorporated about 1991, was created by Oneida businessman Howard Chapman and his wife Bess to benefit the community. The City Municipal Pool and a wing of the Oneida Health Care facility are named in honor of the Chapmans.