LAPEL, Ind. —
Jane Gwinn doesn’t want to ever forget the sacrifices that military veterans have made for her and her family, and the Lapel woman doesn’t think the community should either.
Gwinn has started a communitywide fundraising drive to raise $12,000 needed to build a gazebo in Woodward Park that would honor area veterans.
“I think sometimes we don’t appreciate the sacrifices that have been made by our veterans,” she said. “And we are still sacrificing young lives. I think we need to remember this and honor that sacrifice. The project would do just that.”
The fundraising efforts are just getting under way, Gwinn said, and are being coordinated by the South Madison Foundation, allowing all donations to be tax deductible. Initial plans for the gazebo — to be designed and erected by Mark Steffen — have been drawn up. Gwinn hopes that after the gazebo is constructed they can add the names of veterans lost.
She hopes the project, which is involving efforts by the Lapel Community Youth Commission, becomes a true communitywide effort. Without the help of the entire community, Steffen said, the project may never become a reality.
“In a larger community, a project like this would be funded by a bigger corporation,” he said. “But in a community like Lapel, it is going to take everyone to contribute to make this project go through. It would be such a nice addition to Woodward Park. People need to remember that every dollar helps. Those dollars add up.”
Steffen said he is honored to be a part of the project. As a custom fabricator with Steffen Welding — working on everything from lawn chairs to lowboy trailers — this is a project he’s excited to be a part of.
“We can’t forget their sacrifices,” he said. “They lost their lives for us — me and you. They gave the ultimate sacrifice. This is the least we can do for them. We live our lives because of them making their sacrifices to protect our country.”
Lisa Floyd, executive director of the South Madison Community Foundation, said the organization is happy to be the fiscal sponsor for Lapel’s fundraising effort.
“It is a great partnership between the foundation and the residents of Lapel,” she said. “I think this is truly a community project. It started as an idea of one person, but Jane (Gwinn) understands the possibilities the project has and the benefits of pulling the entire community together around this important tribute to all of the veterans of the area.”
There is no timeline on the project, but Gwinn said she hopes the project can start soon in order to involve World War II veterans.
“These great men are fading fast, and we want to honor them and have them be a part of this project and its dedication,” she said. “I’m so excited about the possibilities.”
Contact Abbey Doyle: 640-4805, abbey.doyle
@heraldbulletin.com
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