The local Oostanaula community raised the funds to build the school in the 1920s, a considerable feat for a poor, rural farming community, and did not want to see the buildings abandoned after the school was closed in 1966. 

So the organization began in 1967, created by the alumni of the Oostanaula School, the Oostanaula School Community Club. It was a volunteer, non-profit organization designed to continue the tradition of giving back. In 1972, the community club received its official nonprofit status and was recognized by the Gordon County School Board and given the title to the school complex. 

Over the years, alumni, family members, and many others in the community donated time, food, talent, and funds to help raise money for those in need in Gordon County and surrounding areas. More than $1 million has been raised by the organization, and 100 percent of that went to the people in need. 

The club started hosting fundraisers to support the maintenance of an aging school complex that has turned into a favorite monthly event for the community. These feature home cooked food, a cakewalk, a variety of music, door prize drawings, and auctions of donated items and services. In addition, the club rents the facility for reunions, family gatherings, weddings, and events to give the community a space to gather and fellowship. 

Oostanaula also has an all volunteer fire station and many of our club members are also volunteer fireman. You can still see the roll up door that replaced the barn doors where the old fire truck was housed in the middle of the complex. That building also had bunk beds for the volunteers, who slept in shifts right next to the truck. In the 1980’s Gordon County built a new fire station on the property and will soon add living quarters to make it a fully maned volunteer station for the community.

To join our organization and help give back to our community, please fill out the Join Our Organization inquiry form. For inquiries about volunteer firefighter opportunities, visit the Gordon County Fire Department’s website.