Reprinted with permission from the Preston Citizen.

Larry Miller Makes Quarter Million Grant
Necia P. Seamons,Citizen staff writer

Over the weekend, Larry and Gail Miller of Salt Lake City, Utah, pledged $250,000 towards moving the Oneida Stake Academy Building.

"We are so grateful for their pledge," said Don Hampton, a descendant of the academy's main builder, John Nuffer, and a member of the Friends of the Academy.

"It's part of this miracle we're talking about that we think will happen," he continued.

His appreciation is echoed by other member of the committee.

"That's fabulous. I'm excited," said Doug West, a member of the committee.

"Saving the building is more than just saving a neat old building," said Debbie Heaton, another member of the committee. "It means that we appreciate the sacrifices of the people who built the community we live in, and who set the values that have made this a peaceful and productive place to raise our families. It helps us know who we are," she said.

"We are grateful for all of the people that have made pledges, both large and small," said Hampton.

The Millers own property in Franklin County and Gail has relatives that come from Franklin.

Kim Wilson, of the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation, said the pledge came from the Miller's "interest in the project, their deep-seated committment to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its history, and their committment to education."

"They have a desire to lend their resources to the community," he said.

The pledge will bring the amount of money raised for the project to just over a $.5 million.

Another $.7 million is needed to move the building and $1.3 million is needed to restore it, according to a feasibility study completed for the project.