Amador County – Supporters of the Preston Castle are rallying community support for a grant opportunity that would provide much needed funding to restore the historic institution.

The Pepsi Foundation is offering grant awards to good causes throughout the country as part of its “Pepsi Refresh Project.” In this case, the Preston Castle Foundation is requesting $25,000 to “restore and refresh the century-old facility.”

In an overview provided on the Pepsi website, the foundation says “rehabilitating…the Preston Castle preserves this magnificent Greek Romanesque structure, celebrates nationally significant history, and strengthens our community.” Preserving this structure,” it says, “provides for potential venues including a community health center, community service offices, child care center, community college or vocational classes (there is no college in the county), community forums, museum and library, and more.”

The foundation says rain water is seeping inside many of the castle’s interior and exterior walls, and the grant would be used to purchase new rain gutters to weatherize the structure.

The “Pepsi Refresh Project” will award those competitors with the most online votes. In order to show your support and put your vote behind the Preston Castle, go to http://www.refresheverything.com and type in Preston Castle in the search box in the upper right-hand corner.

Says the Preston Castle Foundation: “The Preston Castle needs to be rehabilitated so this magnificent building, built in 1898, can once again serve as an institution of learning, community service, and a solid reminder of the merits of education, hard work, and the American spirit of determination and fortitude.”

Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.