Half a year since the project was first announced, members of a committee are still trying to raise enough money to have busts of Edward Lee and Lulu McClain placed in the high school in Greenfield bears his him.
Linda Penn, a member of the Edward Lee McClain Day Committee that is spearheading the project, said the original plan was to raise $20,000 that would purchase the white marble busts, the marble pedestals the busts will rest on, and glass cases that will house each bust.
On Tuesday, Penn said the committee has raised enough money for the busts, but still needs to raise money for the black marble pedestals and the glass cases. The deadline to make a contribution of $250 or more that will result in the donor – or a name of the donor’s choice – being placed on a plaque near the busts is June 23.
A donation of $1,000 or more will give donors gold status, donations of $500 will give donors silver status and donations of $250 will give the donor bronze status. More than one name can be included with any of the donation amounts.
“We think it’s a great opportunity for people to be in on the McClain legacy,” Penn said.
The busts will be unveiled on Friday, June 16 during the Greenfield Rotary Club’s annual Greene Countrie Towne Festival.
Penn said the busts have already been ordered, but money still needs to be raised for the pedestals and casings.
The busts will be a way to honor Edward Lee and Lulu McClain for their gift of McClain High School to the community of Greenfield more than a century ago.
The idea for the busts originated with the McClain Alumni Association, Penn said, and as members talked to others about the idea, it grew. It was with the Edward Lee McClain Day Committee that the idea took off. The plan initially called for just a bust of Edward McClain, but eventually a bust for his wife was added to it.
The McClain Day Committee was behind the inaugural Edward Lee McClain Day which was recognized at last year’s Greene Countrie Towne Festival, nearly a year after the school celebrated its 100th anniversary. The day of recognition is something Penn said the committee and the association hope to see continue each year.
“With a school full of art pieces that includes statues, busts, friezes, murals and paintings, everyone thought having two busts made would be a fitting way to recognize the McClains for their gift to Greenfield,” Penn said.
The plan is to place the busts near the marble staircase at the school.
Plaques bearing the names of donors to the project of at least $250 will be located near the busts, Penn said.
Any funds received beyond what is needed for the busts will go to the McClain Alumni Association Art Restoration Fund, which supports the ongoing and years-long restoration of the art pieces displayed throughout McClain High School.
Tax deductible donations can be made by check and should be made payable to The Greenfield Foundation with the notation “McClain Bust” in the memo line. The Greenfield Foundation’s address is P.O. Box 210, Greenfield, Ohio 45123.
For more information, or if you have questions, contact Penn at 937-981-3590 or committee member Jason Potts at 937-981-7731. Other committee members include Jimmy Jones, John Wilson, Ron Coffey and Larry Roosa.
Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522 or on Twitter @13gillilandj.
