Apr 11 2021
Positively Naperville
Update, April 11, 2021 / The Naperville Gold Star Family Memorial Monument Committee is in the home stretch of fundraising. In partnership with Naperville’s Century Walk Corporation and the Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation, organizers say they soon will have a beautiful granite monument erected in Veterans Park honoring the sacrifices of the surviving family members of local service members, also know as “Gold Star Families.” This monument would be the first of its kind in Illinois.
The committee includes American Legion Post 43 members Lew Breese and Jennifer Slown, as well as Naperville Gold Star Family member Jan Bienfang.
“We have been very busy the last few months working with the City of Naperville and the Naperville Park District for approval and fundraising efforts,” noted Slown in a news release.
“I am pleased to announce, we have raised roughly $45k of the $77k required for material, construction, and long-term maintenance for the monument,” added Slown. “We are still roughly $30k short of our goal and are asking for the Naperville and surrounding community to help support this effort.”
Every bit helps. No donation is too small or too large to assist in climbing “closer to building this incredible monument for the loved ones of our Fallen,” Slown stated. “While COVID has impacted many, the families of our Fallen Warriors will still be honored for the enduring sacrifice of their loved one.”
Individuals able to support this Naperville effort may donate for in one of two ways:
In addition, two documents below explain more about the monument and this effort: Request for Donation Letter and Monument Press Release.
For more information regarding Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation, visit hwwmohf.org.
Find Naperville’s Century Walk at www.centurywalk.org and throughout Naperville at 51 outdoor locations.