Update from Kip Wilson:

We have submitted a matching grant to the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation. The goal is to raise $30,000 so we are asking LMCF to match our raising of $15,000. We estimate construction costs to be between $20,000-$25,000 and we would like to have some cash remaining in the fund for future maintenance/if we miss some veteran whose name should be on the monument etc. Hence, a cushion of $5,000-10,000 seems to us prudent and reasonable. At present we have about $8000 of cash on hand and we have commitments for another $5000. That will put us at $13,000, if my math is correct. Hence, my goal is to try and raise another $2000 from the community.

On the 4th of July Direct Communications is sponsoring the community dinner. We will get out our smoker and bar-b-q pork loin, one half of a pig (provided by the Power County Pig Pimp himself Kyle Mathews) and 3 full brisket. In all there should be about 130 lbs of edible smoked meat. While Direct is sponsoring the meal and providing the meat there will be members of the community canvassing on behalf of the Veterans Memorial for donations. Remember that any donation of $120 or more will earn the benefactor the privilege of having their name carved onto a paver stone that leads up to the Memorial, however any donation is very much appreciated and moves us closer to our goal. So I encourage you to come to the meal hungry and with your checkbook so that you can support this very worthwhile cause. Consider your donation more than your donation but paying for an excellent meal as well! I want this out early so nobody takes offense for being canvassed during the meal.

We expect to hear back from the LMCF this August and I am planning that we will be awarded the matching grant and in August we will start engaging contractors for the actual construction. All going well, we hope to have the Memorial finished by Veterans Day so that we can dedicate it in November and then move onto Skiing Season!