Friday, April 7, 2017, was just a normal day at La Marque Public Library until Library Director Amy Miller opened an envelope containing a check for $66,936 from the estate of Joe Sheedy, Jr., a longtime resident of La Marque.
La Marque, Texas (April 12, 2017) – Friday, April 7, 2017, was just a normal day at La Marque Public Library until Library Director Amy Miller opened an envelope containing a check for $66,936 from the estate of Joe Sheedy, Jr., a longtime resident of La Marque.
According to Miller, Library staff had been notified that they were named a beneficiary in Mr. Sheedy’s will but had no idea that the amount would be so significant. Officials from Sheedy’s bank said a portion of the estate had been split between Highlands Baptist Church, Gulf Coast Center and La Marque Public Library.
“It feels like the Library has won the lottery,” Miller said. “This gift was completely unexpected and we are so grateful. These funds have the power to make a long-term positive impact for the citizens of La Marque. We are dedicated to being good stewards of these funds and we’d like to incorporate some kind of dedication to Mr. Sheedy for his generosity.”
Library records that Mr. Sheedy wasn’t a regular and didn’t even have a current Library card.
“I cannot speculate as to why we were chosen as one of Mr. Sheedy’s beneficiaries,” Miller said. “No specifications or boundaries accompanied the funds. Our next step is to schedule a meeting with Library staff and our City Manager to plan for the future of La Marque Public Library. We are all very thankful and extremely excited.”
A community survey is being arranged to ask the people of La Marque what they’d like to see at La Marque Public Library. Have ideas on how to spend the money? Follow the Library’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lamarquepubliclibrary for updates.
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About the City of La Marque: The City of La Marque is in Galveston County approximately 15 miles from the southern city limit of Houston and four miles north of Galveston Island. La Marque has an estimated population of 16,000 and an area of 14.25 square miles. Citizens enjoy coastal living with the security of a hurricane protection levee system. The city provides a wide range of programs including Bayou Fest, an annual community concert and BBQ Cook Off. City of La Marque boasts easy access to world-class medical, travel and entertainment options. For business, La Marque offers developmental incentives, an abundance of commercial property and build-to-suit opportunities. La Marque is the Gateway to the Gulf. Discover the possibilities at www.cityoflamarque.org.